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BOOKS  BY  H.  E.  PARKHURST 

SONG  BIRDS  AND  WATERFOWL.  Illustrated  by  Louis 

Agassiz  Fuertes.  l2mo,  net $1.50 

THE  BIRDS’  CALENDAR.  With  24  Illustrations.  12mo,  net,  1.50 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


1 

A POCKET  GUIDE  TO  ALL  THE  LAND  BIRDS  AND 
TO  THE  PRINCIPAL  WATER  FOWL  NORMALLY 
FOUND  IN  THE  NEW  ENGLAND  STATES,  NEW 
YORK,  PENNSYLVANIA  AND  NEW  JERSEY, 
FOR  THE  USE  OF  FIELD  ORNITHOLOGISTS 


BY 

H.  E.  PARKHURST 


NEW  YORK 

CHARLES  SCRIBNER’S  SONS 
1898 


Copyright,  1898,  by 

CHARLES  SCRIBNER’S  SONS 


TROW  DIRECTORY 

PRINTING  AND  BOOKBINDING  COMPANY 
NEW  YORK. 


SITINER 


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HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


HIS  little  work  is  a new  departure  in  bird- 
classification,  to  aid  the  field-ornithologist 
in  determining  an  unknown  species.  It 
is  in  no  sense  a rival  of  the  excellent 
manuals  on  the  subject  now  extant,  but  is  rather  an  in- 
troduction to  their  more  general  use. 

One  of  the  great  obstacles  to  a wider  study  of  orni- 
thology is  the  helplessness  of  the  beginner,  especially 
when  studying  by  himself,  to  identify  his  specimens.  If 
he  takes  up  one  of  the  standard  authorities,  he  is  con- 
fronted by  a ponderous  volume  of  four  hundred  to  eight 
hundred  pages,  describing  some  hundreds  of  species  of 
all  sorts,  sizes,  and  colors,  most  confusedly  mingled. 
Moreover,  many  of  the  details  of  bird-anatomy,  always 
given  in  ornithological  manuals,  are  utterly  invisible  at 
field-range,  and  such  multiplicity  of  data,  unsystemat- 
ically arranged  as  they  commonly  are,  hinders  a quick 
and  clear  idea  of  the  species  that  is  being  described ; 
on  the  other  hand,  those  aspects  that  constantly  appeal 
to  the  observer — color,  size,  and  periods  of  appearance — 
have  no  place  in  the  current  scheme  of  classification. 
As  a result,  species  only  to  be  seen  months  apart,  and 


I 


2 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


Utterly  unlike  in  size  and  color,  are  described  almost  side 
by  side  on  the  same  page ; diminutive  kinglets,  smaller 
than  the  chipping  sparrow,  and  seen  only  in  winter,  are 
brought  strangely  close  to  summer  robins  and  thrushes, 
and  the  microscopic  humming-bird  has  to  fraternize  with 
the  nighthawk  and  the  woodpecker.  This  is  not  said 
in  disparagement  of  scientific  classification,  but  to  call 
attention  to  its  inadequacy  for  the  needs  of  one  who 
prosecutes  the  study  from  an  entirely  different  stand- 
point, as  is  the  case  with  the  great  majority  of  field-ob- 
servers. It  is  to  be  remembered  that  one  will  be  led  up 
to  a systematic  and  exhaustive  study  of  this  subject  only 
through  the  more  attractive  discoveries  in  out-door  explo- 
ration. Having  determined  his  species  from  this 
guide,’’  he  will  naturally  refer  to  some  standard  man- 
ual for  its  interesting  details  of  life-history,  of  which 
only  an  outline  is  here  given. 

As  regards  the  times  when  the  various  birds  can  be 
found  in  a given  locality,  they  naturally  fall  into  four 
quite  distinct  groups.  The  first  group  comprises  those 
species  that  arrive  from  the  south  in  spring,  and  remain 
till  they  return  south  in  fall ; the  second,  those  that 
come  down  from  the  north  in  fall,  and  return  north  in 
spring ; the  third,  those  that  winter  in  the  south,  and 
summer  far  north,  and  can  therefore  be  seen  only  a few 
days  or  weeks,  twice  a year,  in  their  passage  to  and 
fro ; and,  in  the  fourth  group,  are  such  as  can  be  seen 
throughout  the  year.  This  fourfold  division  into  sum- 
mer, winter,  migrant,  and  permanent  groups  is  at  the 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


3 


basis  of  our  present  classification.  Standing  quite  apart, 
and  in  every  aspect  perfectly  distinct  from  all  other 
species,  are  the  birds  of  prey — eagles,  hawks  (and  allies), 
and  owls — forming  a fifth  group  at  the  end  of  the  book. 

The  first  four  groups  are  subgrouped  according  to 
color.  Two  very  common  and  striking  colors  in  birds 
are  black  and  yellow,  which  afford  the  basis  of  a fivefold 
color-grouping — neutral  (with  no  strong  tint),  black 
(without  yellow),  yellow  (without  black),  black  and  yel- 
low, and  the  remainder  forming  the  blue  or  red  list. 
The  larger  color-groups  are  further  subdivided,  ac- 
cording to  conspicuous  differences,  so  that  the  ultimate 
groups  contain  only  from  two  to  ten  species,  generally 
about  six,  in  which  to  find  the  given  specimen.  The 
species  of  each  ultimate  group  are  arranged  according 
to  size. 

To  enable  the  student  to  glance  quickly  through  a 
number  of  species,  their  description  is  arranged  as  fol- 
lows : Below  the  name  of  the  species  is  its  summarized 
description  in  two  parts,  separated  by  a dash,  the  first 
describing  the  prevailing  appearance  of  the  upper  side 
of  the  bird  (with  or  without  wings  and  tail,  which  are 
commonly  darker),  the  second,  that  of  the  lower  side, 
primarily  throaty  breast^  and  sides ^ which  are  most  con- 
spicuous. This  summary  is  to  be  regarded  as  the  pre- 
cise description  of  the  entire  bird,  except  as  modified  by 
further  details.  If  two  terms  are  used  in  either  part  of 
the  summary  (except  streaked  or  spotted ’^),  the 
first  applies  to  the  fore-part  of  the  respective  side.  If 


4 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


only  a single  term  is  used  in  the  summary,  it  applies 
to  both  upper  and  under  sides,  as  in  the  case  of  the 
crow,  whose  summary  is  black.”  When  the  sum- 
mary contains  two  terms,  not  separated  by  a dash,  both 
apply  equally  to  upper  and  under  sides.  After  the  sum- 
mary are  the  descriptive  details:  first,  the  length,  in 
inches,  then  the  various  specific  points  of  color — above, 
proceeding  from  bill  to  tail ; below,  from  throat  to 
rear.  By  this  condensation,  and  the  omission  of  many 
points  usually  given  in  books,  but  perfectly  useless  to 
the  field-observer,  the  entire  avifauna  of  the  given  area, 
excepting  the  migrant  water-fowl,  has  been  described  in 
about  a hundred  pages. 

The  description  is  that  of  the  adult  male  in  spring 
plumage,  which  shows  the  most  intense  color  and  the 
most  characteristic  markings.  In  fall  his  colors  are  often 
faded,  and  certain  markings  absent.  In  many  species 
male  and  female  are  indistinguishable  ; in  some,  as  the 
robin,  with  essentially  the  same  coloring,  the  female  is 
duller,  and  in  some  the  sexes  are  distinctly  different ; 
in  the  last  case  the  female  is  also  described.  The  male 
usually  attains  full  plumage  in  the  second  year,  in 
the  first  spring  after  he  is  hatched ; but  rarely  not  un- 
til the  second  spring,  or  even  later.  For  a list  of  the 
few  species  in  which  the  sexes  have  little  or  no  resem- 
blance, see  page  19.  In  these  cases  the  female  is  often 
recognizable  by  being  in  the  company  of  the  male.  In 
a few  other  species  the  female  shows  restricted  mark- 
ings, chiefly  on  head  and  neck.  But  such  instances  are 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


5 


exceptional.  In  all  species  the  male  seems  to  be  chiefly 
in  evidence,  and,  in  general,  his  spring  plumage  suffices 
to  identify  both  sexes  throughout  the  year. 

In  several  cases  the  same  species  has  been  put  into 
more  than  one  list ; as  where  a characteristic  color  is 
very  inconspicuous,  or  where  a tint  is  ambiguous.  One 
might  see  the  cat-bird  twenty  times  without  detecting 
the  red  under  tail-coverts  ; and  the  blotch  on  the  song- 
sparrow’s  breast  sometimes  looks  black,  and  sometimes 
dark  brown.  A very  dark  color  often  passes  for  black 
at  a distance. 

The  various  sparrows  offer  more  difficulty  than  any 
other  family  of  land-birds,  owing  to  the  minuteness  of 
their  distinctive  markings.  Yet  the  sparrow-garb  ” is 
so  characteristic  that  the  student  will  often  know  his 
specimen  to  be  a sparrow,  long  before  he  has  determined 
the  species.  As  an  aid  to  identification,  the  numbers  un- 
der which  the  detailed  descriptions  of  all  the  sparrows 
are  to  be  found,  are  stated  collectively  on  page  i8. 

Black  ” includes  also  blackish. 

Under  the  term  red  ” is  included  every  shade  from 
chestnut  to  scarlet.  A species  showing  red  will  often 
be  more  easily  identified  by  referring  to  the  red  list 
of  land  and  water  birds,  finding  its  detailed  descrip- 
tion under  its  proper  number. 

After  the  physical  description,  is  given,  in  smaller 
type,  an  outline  of  life-history — distribution  in  territory 
(if  no  mention  is  made  of  this  point,  the  species  is  found 
to  a considerable  extent  in  all  the  States,  though  not 


6 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


uniformly  throughout  each  State),  character  and  location 
of  nest,  number  of  eggs,  with  approximate  date  when 
the  first  set  may  be  found  (most  species  have  two,  and  a 
few  have  three,  broods  a year,  at  intervals  of  about  five 
weeks),  and,  finally,  any  marked  peculiarity  of  habit.  A 
peculiarity  either  in  physical  appearance  or  in  habit 
that  is  quite  significant  of  the  species,  and  largely  to  be 
relied  upon  for  identification,  is  always  in  italics. 

The  territory  covered  by  this  book  is  the  best  ornitho- 
logically  explored  region  in  America,  viz, , the  six  New 
England  States,  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  and  New  Jer- 
sey— practically  all  the  Eastern  and  Middle  States.  The 
avifauna  of  this  area  is  largely  the  same  throughout,  yet 
showing  noticeable  differences  in  different  sections,  since 
within  the  territory  are  represented  three  zoological 
areas — the  Canadian  (including  the  northern  part  of  the 
States  of  Maine,  New  Hampshire,  and  Vermont,  the 
Adirondack  region  of  New  York,  and  the  higher  moun- 
tains of  Pennsylvania),  the  Alleghanian  (including  the 
rest  of  New  England,  and  of  New  York,  and  parts  of 
Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey),  and  the  Carolinian 
(overlapping  the  Alleghanian  in  southeastern  New  York 
and  the  valley  of  the  lower  Connecticut  River,  and  in- 
cluding large  portions  of  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey). 
The  avifaunas  of  these  diverse  areas  show  certain  dis- 
tinctive features,  each  characterized  by  peculiar  species, 
and  by  a greater  or  less  abundance  of  such  as  are  com- 
mon to  the  others.  Thus  the  migrants  belonging  to 
the  Canadian  fauna  summer  only  in  northern  New 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


7 


Hampshire,  etc.,  while  southeastern  New  York  is  at 
once  the  southern  boundary  of  those  peculiar  to  the  Al- 
leghanian  fauna,  and  the  northern  boundary  of  those 
peculiar  to  the  Carolinian  fauna ; which  explains  why 
southeastern  New  York  is  so  often  referred  to  in  stating 
the  distribution  of  species. 

While  the  ornithological  exploration  of  New  York  has 
perhaps  been  as  thorough  as  that  of  the  other  States,  the 
results  have  not  yet  been  systematized  and  tabulated,  as 
in  New  England,  Pennsylvania,  and  New  Jersey.  But 
by  consulting  local  lists  compiled  in  the  northern,  cen- 
tral, southeastern,  and  western  parts  of  the  State,  with 
the  knowledge  that  its  avifauna  is  essentially  Allegha- 
nian,  and,  from  its  situation,  is  almost  utterly  precluded 
from  having  species  distinct  from  those  of  Pennsylvania, 
it  is  evident  that  the  various  portions  are  closely  identi- 
cal with  corresponding  latitudes  in  New  England.  It  is 
therefore  to  be  understood  that,  when  a New  England 
State  is  named  as  a limit  of  distribution,  the  same  is 
approximately  true  of  the  corresponding  latitude  in  New 
York. 

Special  attention  has  been  given  to  the  birds  of  Penn- 
sylvania, whose  varied  topography  of  mountain,  plain, 
lake,  and  stream  secures  for  it  the  richest  avifauna  of  all 
the  territory.  The  ^‘Mts.  of  Pa.,^’  so  often  alluded  to 
in  the  following  pages,  refers  to  the  Appalachian  range — 
a mountainous  belt  two  hundred  miles  broad  (one-quar- 
ter of  the  State),  running  nearly  north  and  south  in  the 
central  and  eastern  parts,  and  composed  of  numerous 


8 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


small  ranges  interspersed  with  valleys.  The  highest 
mountains  seldom  exceed  2,000  feet,  while  many  por- 
tions of  the  belt  are  only  high  and  rugged  hills.  But 
elevation  being  equivalent  to  northern  latitude,  this  re- 
gion is  largely  Canadian  in  climate,  and  retains  in  sum- 
mer many  species  not  found  elsewhere,  except  on  the 

northern  edge ; ’ ’ on  the  other  hand,  the  southern  lati- 
tude of  the  lowlands  induces  many  species  to  remain  in 
winter  that  move  southward  from  New  England  and 
New  York  in  the  fall.  Moreover,  though  not  a seaboard 
State,  its  large  rivers  and  fifty-mile  shore-line  of  Lake 
Erie  attract  many  marine  species  in  winter,  and  water- 
fowl  are  more  largely  represented  throughout  Pennsyl- 
vania than  in  any  other  State. 

In  such  a work  the  water-fowl  must  not  be  ignored ; 
yet  it  would  not  be  feasible  to  present  chis  branch  of  our 
avifauna  with  the  same  thoroughness  as  the  land  division, 
since  the  majority  of  water-birds  are  simply  migrants  along 
the  coast,  and  practically  inaccessible  to  almost  all  stu- 
dents. It  has,  therefore,  seemed  sufficient  for  the  pur- 
pose of  this  book  to  mention  only  those  few  that  sum- 
mer within  the  territory,  those  that  migrate  inland,  and 
the  commonest  that  are  found  on  the  coast  and  inland 
during  the  winter. 

The  Analytical  Key  is  indispensable  for  quickly  crac 
ing  a species  to  its  proper  number.  It  is  analogous  to 
any  botanical  key,  and  is  prefaced  by  full  directions 
But,  to  make  its  use  perfectly  understood,  let  us  illus- 
trate the  method  of  learning  the  name  of  an  unknown 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


9 


specimen.  In  winter  one  often  sees  a flock  of  small 
birds  having  the  entire  upper  side  of  body  and  the  breast 
blackish  ; all  beneath,  except  breast,  white.  Turning 
to  the  Key,  the  first  direction  is,  to  determine  the 
color-list  to  which  the  bird  belongs.  Those  birds 
that  show  neither  black,  yellow,  blue,  nor  red,  are  in 
the  neutral  list;  those  with  black  (with  or  without 
red),  but  no  yellow,  are  in  the  black  list;”  those 
with  yellow,  but  no  black,  in  the  yellow  list;  ” those 
with  black  and  yellow,  in  the  black  and  yellow  list;  ” 
and  those  with  blue  or  red  (without  black  or  yel- 
low), in  the  ‘‘blue  or  red  list.”  Our  bird  in  ques- 
tion is  evidently  in  the  “black  list,”  on  page  i6. 
There  are  four  of  these  black  lists,  belonging  respectively 
to  the  four  seasonal  groups — Summer,  Migrant,  Winter, 
and  Permanent,  expressed  by  the  first  letter  of  each  group, 
(S)  (M)  (W)  (P).  In  which  of  these  shall  we  look  for 
our  black  and  white  specimen  ? The  directions  at  the 
beginning  of  the  Key  tell  us  at  once,  where  it  says  : “At 
different  seasons  of  the  year  consult  the  four  (season) 
groups  contained  in  each  (color)  list,  in  the  following  or- 
der, and  the  species  sought  will  generally  be  found  in 
the  first  or  second  group  of  each  series.”  We  are  sup- 
posed to  have  found  the  bird  in  winter,  and  a little 
farther  on  we  find — “Nov.  i to  April  i.  Permanent,  Win- 
ter, Summer,  Migrant.”  We  are  therefore  likely  to  find 
our  specimen  in  the  Permanent  or  in  the  Winter  Group 
under  “Black  Lists.”  Referring  thereunder  to  (P), 
we  see  that  Nos.  231-242  comprise  all  that  have  black, 


lO 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


but  no  yellow  nor  red.  Immediately  below,  these  are 
subdivided — ‘‘Nos.  231-238:  black  throughout,  or  with 
conspicuous  black  head -markings.”  It  cannot  be  here. 
The  next  subdivision  says,  “ Nos.  239-242  : no  evident 
black  on  head.”  Not  here.  The  next  subdivision  says, 
“Nos.  243-250:  showing  black  and  red,  but  no  yellow.  ” 
It  is  not  here.  Therefore  we  turn  to  the  next  group,  ac- 
cording to  direction — the  Winter  group — and  we  read  : 
“Nos.  187-194:  showing  black,  but  no  yellow  nor 
red.”  As  this  accords,  we  turn  to  No.  187,  and  read 
the  summarized  description  of  that  and  of  succeeding 
numbers.  Going  rapidly  through  the  list,  nothing  agrees 
until  we  reach  “ 191  : Snow-bird:  slaty  black — black 
and  white.”  All  the  details  agree  perfectly,  and,  with 
only  the  color  to  guide  us,  we  have  learned  the  name 
and  principal  life-habits  of  the  species.  If  all  the  details 
of  color  (and  in  very  many  cases  if  only  the  principal 
details)  are  noted,  there  is  not  a single  species  belonging 
to  the  entire  area  that  cannot  be  traced  to  its  proper 
number  through  this  Key.  And  even  if  one  has  failed 
to  see  some  characteristic  color  that  is  inconspicuous,  it 
has  been  so  arranged  that  he  may  proceed  upon  his  false 
assumption,  and  he  will  be  led  up  to  the  same  name  as 
though  he  had  seen  every  detail.  At  first  glance  it 
might  seem  that  the  amount  of  subdivision  in  the  Key 
would  make  it  intricate  and  more  difficult  to  use.  On 
the  contrary,  it  will  be  found  to  simplify  rather  than  to 
complicate  the  labor,  by  enabling  one  to  trace  every 
name  with  the  greatest  possible  directness.  After  its  use 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


II 


has  been  mastered,  the  majority  of  species,  when  fairly 
seen,  can  be  identified  in  a few  minutes. 

To  identify  a bird  by  this  or  by  any  other  method, 
it  is  of  course  necessary  to  have  a distinct  view  of  it,  and 
to  note  its  chief  markings,  which  are  commonly  on  head 
and  breast.  Wing-bars  and  tail-spots  are  also  sometimes 
diagnostic  ; learn  to  estimate  its  approximate  length, 
using  for  standards  of  measurement  the  crow  (20  inches), 
robin  (10  inches),  and  English  sparrow  (6  inches).  Ob- 
serve the  bird  in  as  many  different  positions  as  possible, 
and  from  the  sunward  side;  and,  first  of  all,  become 
perfectly  familiar  with  the  different  areas  of  a bird^s 
body,  as  illustrated  in  the  following  charts. 

With  a good  opera-glass  the  characteristic  rnarks  of 
even  the  smallest  specimens  can  be  clearly  seen  ; and 
the  use  of  a glass  has  the  additional  advantage  of  giv- 
ing a good  view  at  much  longer  range,  whereby  the 
birds  are  not  frightened,  and  can  be  observed  longer. 

N.  E.  means  New  England  States  ; N.  Y.,  New  York; 
N.  J.,  New  Jersey;  Pa.,  Pennsylvania;  ‘‘northern 
edge  ’’  means  the  northern  part  of  Maine,  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  of  Vermont,  with  the  Adirondacks  (Ad’r’ks) 
of  New  York;  “southern  edge,'’  the  southern  boundary- 
line of  Pennsylvania  and  of  New  Jersey;  S.  E.  N.  Y., 
southeastern  New  York,  where  Alleghanian  and  Caro- 
linian faunas  join;  “above"  means  the  bird’s  upper 
side,  including  wings  and  tail;  “below,’’  its  under 
side;  $ is  the  usual  sign  for  male;  $ for  female;  fig- 
ures always  refer  to  a bird’s  proper  number,  under 


12 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


which  it  is  described,  and  not  to  a page,  unless  so 
stated. 

The  color  of  the  bill  is  not  diagnostic,  except  where 
it  is  involved  in  the  name  of  the  bird  (as  black-billed 
and  yellow -billed  cuckoos),  or  where  it  is  very  large  and 
conspicuous,  as  in  the  sea-swallow. 

The  following  list  comprises  only  those  that  are  nor- 
mally found  within  the  territory,  as  regular  summer  or 
winter  visitants,  as  migrants,  or  as  permanent  species. 
The  book  would  only  be  enlarged,  and  its  helpfulness 
would  not  be  materially  increased,  by  inserting  those 
that  occur  only  casually  and  at  long  intervals,  as  strag- 
glers from  the  far  west  or  south.  It  is  possible  that  a 
very  few  species  here  given,  whose  exact  status  it  is  dif- 
ficult to  learn,  should  be  regarded  as  casual  rather  than 
normal. 

As  a fact  of  interest  to  the  more  advanced  ornithol- 
ogist, it  may  be  said  that  the  various  areas  in  which  ev- 
ery species  may  be  looked  for  at  different  seasons  of  the 
year  have  never  before  been  so  fully  presented  as  in  this 
book,  in  the  descriptive  details  taken  in  connection 
with  the  several  supplementary  lists  at  the  close  of  the 
four  great  Groups. 

Acknowledgments  are  due,  for  such  data  as  personal 
observation  could  not  furnish,  to  W.  A.  Stearns’s  New 
England  Bird  Life”  (edited  by  Dr.  Elliott  Coues), 
Minot’s  ‘‘Land  and  Game  Birds  of  New  England,” 
Merriam’s  “Birds  of  the  Adirondack  Region”  (Bull. 
N.  O.  C.,  VI.),  Gilbert’s  “The  Rarer  Birds  of  Western 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


13 


New  York^’  (^Forest  and  Stream^  YII.),  Fowler’s 
Birds  of  Central  New  York”  (Forest  and  Stream, 
VI.,  XIL),  Warren’s  voluminous  ‘‘Birds  of  Pennsyl- 
vania,” Stone’s  “Birds  of  Eastern  Pennsylvania  and 
New  Jersey,”  and  Dr.  Coues’s  great  work,  “Key  to 
North  American  Birds.” 


Map  showing  area  expressly  covered  by  this  book,  which  is  also 
essentially  accurate  for  all  the  P^astern  and  Middle  States. 


Median  Crown  Line 


Forehead 


Bill  (Mandibles) 


HIND -NECK 


HIND-HEAD 

CROWN 


NAPE 


SHOULDER 


TAIL  {barred) 


EDGE  of  WING 


DISTINCTIVE  AREAS  OF  A BIRD’S  BODY. 

N.  K. — Unless  otherwise  specified,  back  includes  interscapulars  and  rump. 


cinder  7hil  Coverts 


Crest 


Erectile  Crown  Feathers 


Side  of 

Breast 


Maxillary  Line 


Superciliary  Line, 
E^e  Riny 


Under  Winy  Coverts 

Side  of  Body 


Chin 


Throat 


Upper 

Breast 


Lower 

Breast 


DISTINCTIVE  AREAS  OF  A BIRD’S  BODY. 

N.  B. — Unless  otherwise  specified,  throat  includes  chin,  breast  includes  throat, 
and  abdomen  includes  rear.  “Side ’’  means  side  of  body. 


Forked 


VARIOUS  FORMS  OF  TAIL. 


ANALYTICAL  KEY 


To  find  any  land-bird — except  ‘‘a  bird  of  prey,”  Nos. 
275-302,  or  a permanent  ‘‘  game-bird,”  Nos.  259-263 — first 
determine  to  which  of  the  five  following  (color)  Lists  it  be- 
longs. At  different  seasons  of  the  year  consult  the  four 
(season)  Groups  contained  in  each  List,  in  the  following 
order ^ and  the  species  sought  will  generally  be  found  in  the 
first  or  second  group  of  each  series.  (The  dates  and  series 
of  Groups  are  approximately  correct  for  the  whole  territory. 
A very  few  species  of  summer  and  migrant  birds  arrive  in 
March,  especially  in  southern  part  of  territory.) 

April  I to  June  i. 

Summer,  Migrant,  Permanent,  Winter. 

June  I to  September  i. 

Summer,  Permanent,  Migrant,  Winter. 

September  i to  November  i, 

Summer,  Migrant,  Permanent,  Winter. 

November  i to  April  i. 

Permanent,  Winter,  Summer,  Migrant. 

The  list  of occasional  ” species  (occurring  out  of  proper 
season),  found  at  the  end  of  each  Group,  should  be  reserved 
until  the  Group  is  reached  to  which  they  properly  belong. 
Thus,  April  i — June  i,  the  Summer,  Migrant,  and  Per- 
manent Groups  should  be  examined  before  the  list  of 
winter  birds  occasionally  found  in  summer,”  which  is  at  the 
end  of  Summer  Group. 

The  groups  are  indicated  by  the  first  letter  of  each 
name  : (S)  Summer,  (M)  Migrant,  (W)  Winter,  (P)  Perma- 
nent. 


15 


i6 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


NEUTRAL  LISTS. 


Showing  no  Black,  Yellow,  Blue,  nor  Red. 

(S)  Nos.  1-29. 

* Nos.  1-9  : Breast  whitish,  dark-spotted  or  streaked. 

* * Nos.  10-20;  Above,  brownish  or  variegated;  below 
(except  Nos.  12  and  13),  not  spotted. 

^ * * Nos.  21-29  : Above,  somewhat  olivaceous. 

(M)  Nos.  149-1 55  ; All  but  the  last  two  have  breast  dark-spotted. 
(W)  Nos.  180-186. 

(P)  Nos.  227-230. 


BLACK  LISTS. 


April  i to  June  i,  (S),  (M),  (P),  (W). 
June  i to  Sept,  i,  (S),  (P),  (M),  (W). 
Sept,  i to  Nov.  i,  (S),  (M),  (P),  (W). 
Nov.  I TO  April  i,  (P),  (W),  (S),  (M). 


Showing  Black,  but  no  Yellow. 


(S)  H Nos.  30-55  : Showing  blacky  but  no  yellow  nor  red. 

t Nos.  30-39  ; Above  and  below,  quite  or  nearly  alike. 
Nos.  30-34  : Entirely  or  (32,  34)  nearly  black 
throughout. 

No.  35  : Slate,  with  black  crown  and  tail. 

Nos.  36,  37 : Ashy  gray  above,  white  or  whitish 
below. 

Nos.  38,  39  : Prevalent  blue. 

I t Nos.  40-55  ; Above  and  below  not  uniform. 

* Nos.  40-44  : Head  black- striped. 

* * Nos.  45-55  : Head  not  black-striped. 

t Nos.  45-49  ; Entire  under  side  white  (whitish) 
or  black. 

t t Nos.  50-55  : Entire  under  side  not  white  nor 
black. 

5f  51  Nos.  56-70:  Showing  black  ai^t>  red,  but  no  yellow. 

* Nos.  56-64  ; Red  on  breast. 

* * Nos.  65-70  : No  red  on  breast. 


ANALYTICAL  KEY 


17 


(M)  51  Nos.  156-161  : Showing  blacky  but  no  yellow  NOR  RED. 

5[  5F  Nos.  162-164:  Showing  black  but  no  yellow. 

(W)1[  Nos.  187-194:  Showing  black,  but  no  yellow 
IT  IT  Nos.  195-199:  Showing  black  Knv>  "KiS),  but  no  yellow. 

(P)  IT  Nos.  231-242  : Showing  blacky  but  no  yellow  NOR  red. 

^ Nos.  231-238 : Black  throughout,  or  with  conspicuous 
black  head-markings. 

* * Nos.  239-242  : No  evident  black  on  head. 

ITU  Nos.  243-250  ; Showing  black  and  red,  but  no  yellow. 


YELLOW  LISTS. 


April  i to  June  i,  (S),  (M),  (P),  (W). 
June  i to  Sept,  i,  (S),  (P),  (M),  (W). 
Sept,  i to  Nov.  i,  (S),  (M),  (P),  (W), 
Nov.  1 TO  April  i,  (P),  (W),  (S),  (M). 


Showing  Yellow,  but  no  Black. 


(S)  Nos.  71-86. 

* Nos.  71-77  : With  bright  yellow  on  throat  and  breast. 

* * Nos.  78-86 : Without  bright  yellow  on  both  throat  and 
breast  (or  on  neither). 

(M)  Nos.  165-167. 

(W)  None. 

(P)  No.  251. 


BLACK  AND  YELLOW 
LISTS. 


April  i to  June  i,  (S),  (M),  (P),  (W). 
June  i to  Sept.  1,  (S),  (P),  (M),  (W). 
Sept,  i to  Nov.  i,  (S),  (M),  (P),  (W). 
Nov.  I TO  April  i,  (P),  (W),  (S),  (M). 


Showing  both  Black  and  Yellow. 


(S)  Nos.  87-106. 

* Nos.  87-92  : Black  and  yellow  on  breast. 

* * Nos.  93-97 : Breast  pure  yellow  (or  (97)  black  bor- 
dered). 

* * * Nos.  98  -106:  No  yellow  on  breast. 

(M)  Nos.  168-175. 

* Nos.  168-172  : Throat  and  breast  black  (or  ashy)  and  yel- 

low, or  pure  yellow. 


i8 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


* * Nos.  173-175  : Throat  scarlet  or  white. 
(W)  Nos.  200-202. 

(P)  Nos.  262-257. 


BLUE  OR  RED  LISTS. 


April  i to  June  i,  (S),  (M),  (P),  (W). 
June  i to  Sept,  i,  (S),  (P),  (M),  (W). 
Sept,  i to  Nov.  i,  (S),  (M),  (P),  (W). 
Nov.  I TO  April  i,  (P),  (W),  (S),  (M). 


Showing  one  or  both  of  these  Colors,  but  no  Black  nor 
Yellow. 


(S)  Nos.  107-118. 

(M)  Nos.  176,  177. 

(W)  Nos.  203-205. 

(P)  No.  258.  

RED  LIST  OF  LAND  AND  WATER  BIRDS, 

in  classified  order ^ pp,  99-1 02. 


PERMANENT  GAME  BIRDS. 

Nos.  259-263. 


SPARROW  LIST. 

Nos.  6,  7,  8,  68,  69,  70,  79,  81,  105, 106,  162,  158, 173,  183, 
198,  241,  250  (273,  274,  only  migrant  on  N.  J.  coast). 

BIRDS  FOUND  ONLY  IN  N.  Y.,  PA.,  OR  N.  J. 

Nos.  264-274. 


WATER  BIRDS. 

(S)  Nos.  119-148:  In  subgroups  according  to  habitat. 

(M)  Nos.  178,179:  Having  inland  migration. 

(W)  Nos.  206-226. 

* Nos.  206-2Q9  : The  commonest  on  coast  and  in  interior 
in  winter. 


ANALYTICAL  KEY 


19 


* ^ Nos.  210-226:  Regularly  and  not  uncommonly  on  coast, 
and  on  larger  rivers  of  Pa.  and  N.  J.,  in  winter. 


LISTS  OF  OCCASIONAL  SPECIES, 

normal  to  territory^  but  found  out  of  proper  season. 

Winter  birds  found  regularly  or  occasionally  in  summer  ; p.  53. 
Summer  and  Migrant  birds  occasionally  found  in  winter ; p.  82. 


SPECIAL  LISTS  FOR  PA.  AND  N.  J. 

Summer  birds  that  are  only  Migrant  in  Pa.  or  N.  J.  ; p.  72. 
Summer  and  Migrant  birds  that  are  permanent  in  Pa.  or  N.  J. ; p. 

96- 

Summer  and  Migrant  birds  found  (in  winter)  only  in  Pa.  or  N.  J. ; 
p.  82. 

Migrant  birds  found  regularly  or  occasionally  in  summer  in  Pa. ; p. 

54. 


BIRDS  OF  PREY. 

Eagles — Nos.  275,  276. 

Hawks  (and  Allies) — Nos.  277-291. 

Owls — Nos.  292-302.. 


In  the  following  species  the  sexes  have  little  or  no  resemblance. 
(Proper  number  precedes,  length  follows,  the  name. ) 

65.  Red-winged  Blackbird  ; 9. 

195.  Pine  Grosbeak  ; 8-9. 

59.  Rose-breasted  Grosbeak;  8-8^. 

67.  Towhee  Bunting;  8-8^. 

88.  Baltimore  Oriole;  7>^-8. 

114.  Summer  Tanager; 

61.  Scarlet  Tanager  ; 7^. 


20 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


49.  Bobolink;  7^. 

32.  Cow-bird;  7^. 

62.  Orchard  Oriole  ; 7. 

38.  Blue  Grosbeak  ; 6^-7. 

115.  Purple  Finch  ; 6. 

196.  Common  Crossbill;  6. 

197.  White-winged  Crossbill;  6. 

39.  Indigo-bird;  5^. 

63.  Redstart;  5^. 

161.  Black-throated  Blue  Warbler  ; 5. 
256.  American  Goldfinch  ; 4^. 


SUMMER  GROUP. 


LAND-BIRDS. 

Comprising  those  species  that  arrive  from  the  south  in 
spring,  breed  more  or  less  generally  throughout  the  terri- 
tory, and  retire  southward  in  the  fall.  The  earliest  arrivals 
are  about  the  middle  of  March,  and  the  latest  departures 
about  the  end  of  October. 


NEUTRAL  LIST. 

Nos.  1-29.  Showing  no  Black,  Yellow,  Blue,  nor  Red. 

* Nos.  1-9  : Breast  whitish^  dark-spotted  or  streaked. 

1.  THRASHER:  BROWN  THRUSH. 

Tawny Whitish,  dark-spotted. 

II.  Wings,  white-barred ; tail,  quite  long  ; below,  whitish, 
thickly  marked  with  brown,  except  on  throat,  rear,  and  un- 
der tail-coverts. 

Nest,  more  or  less  of  sticks,  cedar-bark,  dead  leaves,  etc.,  in  bush 
or  on  ground ; eggs,  last  of  May,  4-5,  whitish  or  greenish,  thickly 
brown-speckled  ; song,  incoherent,  like  cat-bird’s. 


2.  WOOD  THRUSH  : SONG  THRUSH. 

Tawny Whitish,  dark-spotted. 

7 Yz-Z.  Above,  forepart  soft  reddish-brown,  becoming  olive 
on  ru7np^  tail^  and  end  of  wings  ; below,  white,  buff-tinged 


21 


22 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


on  breast ; breast  and  sides,  strongly  spotted  with  dark 
brown. 

Abundant  from  southern  edge  to  Mass.  ; nest,  of  grass,  twigs, 
moss,  with  inner  layer  of  mud  lined  with  rootlets,  not  far  from 
ground  ; eggs,  latter  part  of  May,  4-5,  greenish-blue  ; fine  singer. 


3,  WILSON’S  THRUSH:  VEERY. 

Tawny Buff-white,  spotted. 

J-yyi.  Above,  tawny  throughout  j throat  and  breast, 
buff-white,  breast  faintly  spotted  with  light  brown;  sides 
and  abdomen,  white. 

From  northern  mts.  of  Pa.  and  northern  part  of  N.  J.  northward  ; 
rare  on  northern  edge,  locally  common  in  Ad’r’ks  ; winters  rarely  in 
S.  Pa.  ; nest,  of  grass,  leaves,  roots,  etc.,  without  mud,  usually  on 
ground  ; eggs,  latter  part  of  May,  4-5,  light  greenish-blue  ; good 
singer. 


4.  LOUISIANA  WATER  THRUSH. 

Dark  olive-brown Whitish,  dark-spotted. 

6.  Superciliary  line,  whitish  ; below,  throat  and  rear,  pure 
white ; rest,  buff-tinged  (never  sulphury-yellow),  sparsely 
spotted  with  pale  brown. 

North  to  southern  Conn,  (and  in  southern  Ad’r’ks)  ; rarely  beyond, 
very  rare  in  N.  J.  ; habits,  nest,  and  eggs,  as  in 


5.  WATER  THRUSH:  WATER  WAGTAIL. 

Dark  olive-brown Whitish,  dark-spotted. 

5)^-6.  Superciliary  line,  whitish;  below,  whitish,  or  pale 
sulphury-yellow,  sharply  and  thickly  spotted,  except  on 
rear. 

Nest,  on  or  near  ground,  in  damp  places,  or  near  water  ; eggs, 
early  in  June,  4-6  white,  spotted  with  brown  and  lilac  ; walks ^ with 
teetering  tail ; fair  singer  ; in  N.  J.  only  migrant. 


SUMMER  GROUP NEUTRAL  LIST 


23 


6.  VESPER  SPARROW:  GRASS  FINCH. 

Grayish-brown,  dark-streaked White,  streaked. 

6.  No  median  crown-line  ; whitish  superciliary  line  and 
eye-ring ; patch  on  wing,  chestnut  ; outer  tail-feather 
white  ; below,  white,  often  buffy  ; breast  and  sides,  dark- 
streaked. 

Nest,  on  ground  ; eggs,  latter  part  of  May,  4-5,  diversely  colored  ; 
in  open  fields,  by  roadsides,  etc.  ; a pleasing  singer  ; winters  rarely  in 
S.  Pa.  and  N.  J. 

7.  SHARP-TAILED  SPARROW. 

Olive-brown,  streaked Brownish-white,  streaked. 

5^.  Light  median  crown-line;  long  superciliary  line, 
rich  buff  or  orange-brown  ; breast,  strongly  dark-streaked. 

In  salt  marshes  of  sea-coast ; nest,  in  tussock  of  grass  by  water ; 
eggs,  grayish  white,  evenly  spotted  ; abundant  species. 


8.  LINCOLN’S  SPARROW. 

Grayish-brown,  streaked Whitish,  streaked. 

5 Crown  darker,  with  median  and  lateral  ashy  stripes ; 
below,  white,  with  distinct  brownish-yellow  band  across 
breast,  sides  tinged  with  same  ; entire  under  side,  except 
abdomen,  dark-streaked. 

From  Conn,  northward  ; rather  rare  ; nest,  on  ground  ; eggs,  about 
May  ist,  4-5,  color  variable  ; sings  freely. 


9.  HENSLOW’S  SPARROW. 

Buff-brown,  dark-streaked Buff-whitish,  streaked. 

5.  See  105, 


* * Nos.  10-20:  Above y brownish  or  variegated ; below  {ex- 
cept Nos.  12  and  13),  not  spotted. 


24 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


10.  BLACK-BILLED  CUCKOO. 

Brownish-gray White. 

II-I2.  45. 

11.  YELLOW-BILLED  CUCKOO. 

Brownish-gray White. 

II-I2.  See  98. 

12.  WHIPPOORWILL. 

Mottled  with  various  quiet  colors. 

Prevailing  tone,  grayish-brown,  from  mingling  of 
black,  gray,  and  reddish-brown  ; end  of  outer  tail-feathers, 
white  ; tail,  rounded  j throat,  white  ; 2 has  throat  and  tips 
of  tail-feathers  tawny. 

No  nest ; about  June  ist  2 eggs  are  laid  on  ground  or  in  a depres- 
sion, creamy,  spotted  variously  ; a nocturnal  species. 

13.  NIGHT-HAWK. 

Mottled  with  various  quiet  colors. 

9.  General  appearance  same  as  of  whippoorwill ; white 
patch  on  wing  ; tail,  einarginate  and  white-spotted. 

No  nest;  about  June  ist  2 eggs  are  laid  on  ground,  rock,  or  flat 
roof,  variable  in  tints  and  markings  ; seen  mostly  high  in  air  at  dusk, 
early  evening,  or  in  cloudy  day  ; booming  sound  at  dusk  in  June. 

14.  FIELD  SPARROW. 

Light  brown,  dark-streaked Brownish-white. 

5J^.  5^^  70. 

15.  GREAT  CAROLINA  WREN. 

Reddish-brown Rusty-white. 

5;^ -6.  Long,  prominent,  whitish  superciliary  line  ; wings 
and  tail,  dark-barred. 

A southerly  species  ; rarely  north  to  Mass.  ; “ permanent  ” in  Pa. 
and  N.  J.  ; nest,  of  various  materials,  in  hole,  nook  of  building,  or 
shrubbery  ; eggs,  6-7,  white,  spotted  with  various  tints. 


SUMMER  GROUP — NEUTRAL  LIST 


25 


16.  LONG-BILLED  MARSH  WREN. 

Brown Brownish-white. 

5-5^.  Above,  brown,  unbarred;  crown,  dark;  whitish 
superciliary  line ; middle  of  back,  black,  white-streaked ; 
tail  (and  wings  somewhat),  barred  ; below,  central  part  of 
breast  nearly  white  ; deeply  shaded  with  brown  on  sides. 

North  to  Mass.  ; nest,  of  woven  rushes  and  mud,  lined  with  hair, 
attached  to  waving  reeds  ; eggs,  last  of  May,  6-10,  dark  chocolate- 
brown  ; fine  architect ; in  fresh  and  salt  marshes  ; somewhat  grega- 
rious ; winters  rarely  in  S.  N.  J. 

17.  SHORT-BILLED  MARSH  WREN. 

Brown Brownish-white. 

4}^,  Above,  blackish-brown,  white-streaked ; whitish 
superciliary  line ; tail  (and  wings  somewhat),  barred. 

Mass,  and  southward  ; rare  in  Pa.  ; only  rare  migrant  in  N.  J. , 
where  it  occasionally  winters  in  southern  part ; nest  differs  from  that 
of  “ long-billed”  in  being  without  mud,  and  sometimes  in  tussock  of 
grass  ; eggs,  last  of  May,  6-8,  white,  unmarked ; somewhat  gregari- 
ous. 


IS.  HOUSE  WREN. 

Dark  wren-brown Light  brown. 

4/^-S/^-  Obscure  superciliary  line  ; finely  waved  through- 
out with  blackish-brown  ; tail,  erect. 

Nest,  of  miscellaneous  materials,  in  hole ; eggs,  June  ist,  6-9, 
pinkish-white,  speckled  throughout ; fine  singer. 


19.  BANK  SWALLOW. 

Dull  brown White. 

5.  Band  across  breast,  dull  brown. 

Nest,  a horizontal  hole  in  sand-bank,  about  2 ft.  deep,  enlarged  at 
inner  end,  which  is  lined  with  soft  material ; eggs,  latter  part  of  May, 
4-5 » pure  white. 


26 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


20.  ROUGH-WINGED  SWALLOW. 

Dull  brown Whitish. 

5.  Darker  across  breast ; differs  from  bank  swallow  in 
having  a series  of  hooks  on  outer  web  of  first  wing-feather, 
serrate  in  appearance,  invisible  at  distance. 

Nest,  not  in  sand-bank,  but  in  cavities  of  fence,  house,  and  the  like ; 
eggs,  4-6,  pure  white  ; apparently  rare. 


* * * Nos.  21-29  : Above ^ somewhat  olivaceous. 

21.  OLIVE-SIDED  FLYCATCHER. 

Dark  olive-brown Whitish,  streaked. 

7//^.  Upper  mandible,  black;  lower,  yellowish  ; crown- 
feathers,  erectile  and  darker  ; wings  and  tail,  darker  ; tail, 
emarginate  ; below,  breast  peculiarly  streaked  with  olive- 
brown  tint  ; remainder,  including  middle  line  of  breast, 
white  or  yellowish. 

Breeds  from  Conn,  northward ; nest,  unpretentious,  at  quite  a dis- 
tance from  ground  ; eggs,  early  in  June,  5,  white,  or  whitish,  spotted. 

22.  PHCEBE. 

Dull  olive-brown Whitish. 

7.  Bill,  all  black ; crown-feathers,  erectile  and  darker;  tail, 
emarginate  ; below,  white,  clouded  with  tint  of  upper  side. 

Quite  generally  distributed  ; nest,  under  eaves,  and  in  similar 
places,  prettily  made  of  grass  and  mud,  stuccoed  with  moss,  and 
lined ; often  3 broods ; eggs,  early  in  May,  5,  usually  pure  white ; 
constantly  flirts  tail;  an  early  spring  arrival. 

23.  PEWEE. 

Olive-brown Light  ash. 

6-6 Wings  and  tail,  darker  ; see  51. 


SUMMER  GROUP NEUTRAL  LIST 


27 


24.  ACADIAN  FLYCATCHER. 

Olive-green Whitish. 

Crown-feathers,  erectile  and  darker  ; yellowish 
eye-ring  ; wing-markings,  yellowish-white  ; breast,  clouded 
with  tint  of  upper  side,  but  mterrupted  by  tniddle  whitish 
liiLC  ; posterior  part,  below,  washed  with  yellow. 

Rarely  north  to  Conn.  ; nest,  in  trees  ; eggs,  2-4,  creamy  white, 
strongly  marked. 

25.  TRAILL’S  FLYCATCHER. 

Olive-green Ashy. 

5^-6.  Crown-feathers,  erectile  and  darker;  wing-bars, 
gray  ; breast,  entirely  shaded  with  olive-gray. 

Breeds  from  Conn,  northward  ; nest,  near  ground,  in  damp  places  ; 
eggs,  2-4,  creamy  white,  strongly  marked ; note,  ke-wink,  uttered 
slowly. 

26.  LEAST  FLYCATCHER. 

Olive-green Ashy. 

5-5 Crown-feathers,  erectile  and  darker  ; wing-bars, 
gray  ; breast,  clouded  with  olive-gray. 

Particularly  abundant  in  N.  E.  ; nest,  in  tree  ; eggs,  early  in  June, 
4-5,  pure  white,  rarely  spotted  ; note,  se-wic,  uttered  quickly. 


27.  SOLITARY  VIREO:  BLUE-HEADED  VIREO. 

Olive-green White. 

Head,  bluish  ash  ; eye-rhig  and  line  to  bilU  white  ; 
2 white  wing-bars  ; sides,  olive-shaded ; under  tail-coverts, 
slightly  yellow. 

Generally  distributed,  but  more  abundant  in  northern  than  in 
southern  N.  E.,  and  only  migrant  in  N.  J.  ; nest,  pensile  and  artistic, 
not  far  from  ground  ; eggs,  about  June  ist,  3-4,  white,  with  fine  red- 
dish dots. 


28 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


28.  WARBLING  VIREO. 

Mouse-color White. 

5.  Whitish  superciliary  line ; below,  sides  tinged  with 
shade  of  back. 

Nest,  pensile,  higher  than  “red-eye’s,”  “from  20  to  60  ft,”  in 
poplar,  elm,  or  buttonwood  tree ; eggs,  about  June  ist,  4-5,  white, 
brown-spotted  ; found  especially  in  trees  along  roadway  ; a wayside 
warbler. 


29.  PHILADELPHIA  VIREO. 

Mouse-color White. 

Indistinguishable,  at  field-range,  from  warbling  vireo  ; 
differs  in  having  extra  quill  in  wing,  and  somewhat  distinct 
song  ; in  Pa.  and  N.  J.  it  is  only  a rare  migrant. 


BLACK  LIST. 

Nos.  30-55  : Showing  blacky  but  no  yellow  nor  red. 
t Nos.  30-39  : Above  and  below  quite  or  nearly  alike. 
Nos.  30-34  : Entirely  or  (32,  34)  nearly  black  through- 
out. 

No.  35  : Slate,  with  black  crown  and  tail. 

Nos.  36,  37 ; Ashy  gray  above,  white  or  whitish  below. 
Nos.  38,  39  : Prevalent  blue, 

30.  FISH  CROW. 

Black. 

14-16.  Like  common  crow,  but  smaller. 

Along  coast,  north  to  Conn.,  rarely  beyond  ; along  larger  rivers  of 
Pa.  ; nesting  like  common  crow  (332) ; piscivorous. 


SUMMER  GROUP — BLACK  LIST 


29 


SI.  PURPLE  CRACKLE:  CROW  BLACKBIRD. 

Iridescent  black. 

12-13.  Iridescent  with  green  and  purple  ; eye,  creamy  ; 
$ smaller,  blackish-brown,  and  more  or  less  lustrous. 

Breeds  throughout,  but  more  abundant  northerly  ; gregarious/ 
nest,  large  and  coarse,  commonly  with  mud,  m bush  or  tree,  the  lat- 
ter usually  evergreen;  eggs,  latter  part  of  May,  4-5,  very  variable  ; 
one  of  first  to  arrive  in  spring  ; winters  rarely  in  S.  Pa.  and  S.  N.  J. 


32.  COW-BIRD:  COW  BLACKBIRD. 

Iridescent  black. 

Head  and  neck,  dark  chocolate  ; % , smaller,  brown 
throughout,  lighter  below. 

Polygamous,  parasitic,  and  gregarious ; eggs,  laid  in  nests  of  other 
birds  from  April  on,  probably  4-5,  apparently  irregularly,  white, 
finely  speckled  with  brown  and  pale  lilac. 


33.  PURPLE  MARTIN. 

Lustrous  blue-black. 

7.  $ Duller  above,  somewhat  whitish  below,  with  dark- 
gray  streaks. 

Nest,  formerly  in  tree-holes,  now  in  boxes,  etc.,  like  white-breasted 
swallow ; eggs,  4-5,  in  May,  pure  white. 


34.  CHIMNEY  SWIFT:  CHIMNEY  SWALLOW. 

Blackish  (sooty  brown). 

5.  Throat,  gray  ; wings,  black ; below,  lighter. 

Nest,  of  twigs  glued  together  with  the  bird’s  saliva,  and  attached 
to  interior  of  chimneys  ; remote  from  human  habitation  it  nests  in 
hollow  trees,  where  possibly  it  sometimes  hibernates  ! eggs,  4,  pure 
white. 


30 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


35.  CAT-BIRD. 

Slate,  black Slate. 

8^-9.  Crown  and  tail,  black  ; see  66. 


36.  MOCKING-BIRD. 

Ashy-gray White . 

9-10.  Wings  and  tail,  blackish,  conspicuously  spotted 
with  white  ; outer  tail-feathers,  pure  white. 

A southern  species,  rarely  summering  in  Northeastern  States,  and 
has  been  found  there  in  winter  ; nest,  clumsy,  not  far  from  ground ; 
eggs,  4-6,  bluish-green,  thickly  spotted. 


37.  LOGGERHEAD  SHRIKE. 

Ashy-gray Whitish . 

8-9.  Forehead,  black,  continuous  with  black  stripe  through 
eye  ; wings  and  tail,  black,  white-spotted  ; below,  white, 
clouded,  but  not  ‘‘ waved,’^  as  in  butcher-bird  (187). 

A southern  species,  but  locally  in  Pa.  and  N.  J.,  and  very  rarely 
breeding  north  to  N.  E.  ; nest,  simple  ; eggs,  like  those  of  butcher- 
bird. 


38.  BLUE  GROSBEAK. 

Dark  blue  and  black. 

Around  base  of  bill,  wings,  and  tail,  black  ; 2 
chestnut  wing-bars  ; ? , smaller,  brown  above,  lighter  be- 
low, brownish-white  wing-bars. 

Breeds  sparingly  in  S.  Pa. , north  of  which  it  is  possibly  only  a 
straggler ; no  record  in  N.  J.  ; nest,  in  bush  or  low  tree ; eggs,  4-5, 
pale  blue,  unspotted. 


SUMMER  GROUP BLACK  LIST 


31 


39.  INDIGO-BIRD. 

Indigo-blue  and  blackish. 

5^.  Blue  most  intense  on  head  ; wings  and  tail,  blackish  ; 
? brown  above,  lighter  below,  slightly  streaked. 

Breeds  throughout,  rarer  north  of  Mass.;  nest,  rather  large,  in 
bush  ; eggs,  last  of  May,  4-5,  white  or  blue-tinged,  rarely  marked. 


t t Nos.  40-55  : Above  and  below  not  uniform, 

^ Nos.  40-44  : With  head  black-striped. 

40.  RED-EYED  VIREO. 

Olive-green White. 

6-6^5^.  Crown,  ashy,  edged  with  black  stripe  ; whitish  su- 
perciliary line  ; dark  eye-stripe ; red  eye  ; below,  sides 
yellow-shaded. 

Nest,  pensile,  often  showing  pine-needles,  pieces  of  paper  and  of 
wasp's  nest ; eggs,  about  June  ist,  3-5,  pure  white,  red-tinged  and 
spotted  at  larger  end  ; a bright  song  throughout  summer  in  woods. 

41.  OVEN-BIRD;  GOLDEN-CROWNED  THRUSH. 

Rich  olive White,  dark-spotted. 

Crown,  buff-orange,  bordered  with  black; 
throat,  white  ; breast,  blackish-spotted. 

Nest,  on  ground,  of  leaves  and  grasses,  lined  with  hair,  roofed 
over ; eggs,  about  June  ist,  4-6,  cream-white,  marked ; walks  on 
ground. 


42.  WORM-EATING  WARBLER. 

Greenish-olive Buff. 

Head,  buff,  and  with  4 black  stripes,  2 bordering 
crown,  2 through  eyes  ; rear,  whitish. 

North  rarely  to  Conn.,  in  N.  J.  chiefly  in  southern  part ; nest,  on 
ground ; eggs,  4-5,  pure  white,  finely  spotted. 


32 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


43.  BLACK-AND-WHITE  CREEPER. 

Black,  streaked  with  white. 

5-5 Top  of  head,  black-and-white  striped  ; below, 
whiter  than  above. 

Nest,  of  grass,  leaves,  moss,  delicately  lined  ; eggs,  about  June  ist, 
4-6,  creamy  white,  dark-spotted  ; always  creeping  on  trunk  and 
branches. 


44.  BLUE-GRAY  GNAT-CATCHER. 

Ashy-blue White. 

4>^-5.  Forehead  and  superciliary  line,  black  ; tail,  black 
and  white  (outermost  feathers  entirely  white)  ; ? head  with- 
out black. 

North  to  S.  E.  N.  Y.  and  in  western  N.  Y.;  rare,  except  locally  ; 
nest, elegant,  covered  with  lichens,  cup-shaped,  10-60  ft.  from  ground  ; 
remarkably  active  and  voluble. 


* * Nos.  45-55 : Without  black  stripe  on  head. 

t Nos.  45-49  : Entire  under  side  white  {^whitish)  or  black, 

45.  BLACK-BILLED  CUCKOO. 

Brownish-gray White. 

11-12.  Bill,  black;  eye-ring,  red;  outer  tail-feathers, 
white-tipped  (subtipped  with  black)  ; breast,  sometimes 
slightly  tinged  with  light  brown. 

Throughout,  but  the  more  northerly  of  the  two  species ; nest, 
rather  crude,  not  far  from  ground  ; eggs,  early  in  June,  4-8,  green- 
ish, laid  irregularly. 

46.  YELLOW-BILLED  CUCKOO. 

Brownish-gray White . 

1 1 -1 2.  Bill ^ largely  yellow  ; see  08. 


SUMMER  GROUP BLACK  LIST 


33 


47.  KING-BIRD:  BEE-MARTIN. 

Blackish-gray White. 

8.  Crown,  black,  with  erectile  feathers,  tipped  with  orange 
(seldom  seen  at  field-range) ; wings,  slightly  brown  ; tail, 
black,  broadly  white-tipped  j breast,  cloudy. 

Nest,  rather  large  and  compact ; eggs,  about  June  ist,  4-6,  white, 
creamy,  or  rosy,  variously  marked  ; on  telegraph-wires  and  similar 
conspicuous  places. 


47a.  PHGEBE. 

Dull  olive-brown Whitish. 

7.  Blackish  crown  ; see  22. 

48.  WHITE-BREASTED  SWALLOW. 

Lustrous  dark  green,  blackish White. 

6.  Wings  and  tail,  blackish ; otherwise,  above,  lustrous 
green. 

Nest,  in  martin-box,  or  similar  cavity,  rarely  in  tree-hole  ; eggs,  4- 
5,  pure  white. 


49.  BOBOLINK:  RICE-BIRD. 

Black  and  white Black. 

. Hind  neck,  buff ; shoulders,  rump,  and  upper  tail- 
coverts,  white  ; middle  of  back,  streaked  ; otherwise,  black  ; 
$ , above,  yellowish-brown,  dark-streaked,  wings  and  tail 
dark ; median  and  superciliary  lines  and  under  parts, 
brownish-yellow. 

Breeds  throughout,  less  common  in  Pa.,  only  migrant  in  S.  N.  J.  ; 
nest,  on  ground,  in  field  or  meadow ; eggs,  latter  part  of  May,  4-5, 
white,  variously  tinged  and  spotted  ; eccentric,  beautiful  in  plumage 
and  song. 


t t Nos.  50-55  : Entire  under  side  neither  white  nor  black. 


34 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


50.  BELTED  KINGFISHER. 

Ashy-blue,  black Blue,  white. 

i2>i.  Crested;  see  107. 

50».  UPLAND  PLOVER. 

Blackish,  variegated Pale  rufous,  black-streaked. 

12.  A water-bird  ; see  119. 

50^.  WHIPPOORWILL 

Mottled  with  black,  gray,  and  reddish  brown. 

See  12. 

50C.  NIGHT-HAWK. 

Mottled  with  quiet  colors. 

9.  See  13. 

50d.  OLIVE-SIDED  FLYCATCHER. 

Dark  olive-brown Whitish,  streaked. 

Crown,  wings,  and  tail,  blackish  ; see  21. 

51.  PEWEE. 

Olive-brown Light  ash. 

6-6^.  Crown  feathers,  erectile  and  darker;  wings  and 
tail,  blackish  ; 2 white  wing-bars  ; tail,  emarginate  ; below, 
throat  and  abdomen  dull  yellowish-white  ; breast  and  sides, 
clouded  with  tint  of  upper  side. 

Nest,  artistic  ; eggs,  middle  of  June,  4-5,  buff  or  creamy,  with  large 
spots  of  lilac  and  reddish-brown  ; note,  pe-u-wee  or  pe-wee, 

52.  FIELD  SPARROW. 

Light  brown,  black-streaked,  crown  reddish Brownish- 

white. 


SYz-  See  70, 


SUMMER  GROUP BLACK  LIST 


35 


53.  SHARP-TAILED  SPARROW. 

Olive-brown,  streaked Brownish-white,  blackish-streaked. 

SVz-  See  7. 

53a.  LINCOLN’S  SPARROW. 

Grayish-brown,  streaked Whitish,  dark-streaked. 

5X*  See  8. 

54.  HENSLOW’S  SPARROW. 

Buff-brown,  black-streaked Buff-white,  streaked. 

5.  Crown,  blackish  ; edge  of  wing,  yellow  ; see  105. 

54a.  LONG-BILLED  MARSH  WREN. 

Brown Brownish-white. 

5-5^*  Crown  and  interscapulars,  blackish  ; see  16. 

54^.  SHORT-BILLED  MARSH  WREN. 

Brown Brownish-white. 

4^.  Crown  and  back,  blackish  ; see  17. 

54c.  HOUSE  WREN. 

Dark  wren-brown Light  brown. 

“ Waved”  with  blackish;  see  18. 

55.  CCERULEAN  WARBLER. 

Azure-blue,  black-streaked White,  blue-streaked. 

4^.  Bill,  black  ; wings  and  tail,  blackish  ; 2 white  wing- 
bars  ; nearly  all  tail-feathers  white-spotted ; below,  pure 
white,  except  blue-black  streaks  on  breast  and  sides. 

Breeds  occasionally  in  mts.  of  Pa.  and  northward  to  S.  E.  N.  Y. ; in 
N.  J.  only  a rare  migrant ; nest,  delicate,  20-50  ft.  from  ground  ; eggs, 
4,  creamy-white,  strongly  marked  with  reddish-brown ; a rare  and 
beautiful  species. 


36 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


^ Nos.  56-70  ; Showing  black  and  red,  but  no  yellow. 

* Nos.  56-64:  IVith  red  on  breast, 

56«  MOURNING  DOVE. 

Grayish-blue Purplish-red . 

12.  Bill,  black;  eye,  red;  black  spot  on  side  of  head  ; 
neck,  iridescent ; shoulders,  black-spotted  ; ends  of  wings 
and  middle  tail-feathers,  black  ; outer  tail-feathers,  black 
and  white ; throat  and  breast,  purplish-red ; abdomen, 
lighter ; sides,  grayish-blue  ; essentially  like  wild  pigeon, 
but  smaller  ; ? has  red  of  breast  replaced  by  grayish. 

Breeds  northward  to  southern  edge  of  Mass,  and  on  southern  edge 
of  Ad’r’ks,  but  found  irregularly  and  in  small  flocks  ; sometimes  seen 
in  winter,  and  permanent  in  several  counties  of  Pa.  and  in  S.  N.  J.  ; 
nest,  on  ground  or  in  bush  ; eggs,  in  May,  2,  pure  white. 

57.  ROBIN. 

Dark  olive-gray Bright  chestnut. 

9-10.  Bill,  yellow ; head,  black,  slightly  white-spotted  ; 
tail,  blackish,  end  of  outer  feathers,  white  ; chin,  white, 
black-streaked ; throat,  breast,  and  sides,  bright  chestnut ; 
under  tail-coverts,  white. 

Nest,  of  three  layers,  outside  of  coarse  vegetable  material,  the 
middle  of  mud,  finely  lined,  in  all  sorts  of  places,  chiefly  in  trees  ; 
eggs,  latter  part  of  April,  4-5,  greenish-blue  ; permanent  in  N.  J. 

58.  CARDINAL  GROSBEAK. 

Vermilion. 

8^.  Bill,  coral  red  ; black  around  base  of  bill ; crested ; 
$ , very  much  faded. 

Northward,  rarely  to  Conn  , permanent  in  S.  Pa.  and  N.  J ; nest, 
in  bush  or  tree,  near  ground,  often  near  water,  rather  coarse  ; eggs, 
white,  brown-spotted  ; a favorite  cage-bird. 


SUMMER  GROUP — BLACK  LIST 


37 


59.  ROSE-BREASTED  GROSBEAK. 

Black  and  white Carmine  and  white. 

8-8^.  Head,  entire  neck,  and  interscapulars,  pure  black  ; 
rump,  white  ; wings  and  tail,  black,  with  white  markings  ; 
breast  and  under  wing-coverts,  rich  rosy  red ; otherwise, 
below,  white ; carmine  requires  2 or  3 years  for  perfec- 
tion ; ? , above,  flaxen-brown  ; below,  white  ; dark-streaked 
throughout;  median  and  superciliary  lines,  whitish ; dark 
eye-stripe ; wings  and  tail,  unmarked  ; breast,  sometimes 
saffron. 

Breeds  in  W.  Pa.,  N.  N.  J.,  and  northward,  but  rarer  north  of 
Mass.  ; nest,  in  tree  or  shrubbery ; eggs,  about  June  ist,  3-4,  green- 
ish, spotted  ; handsome  and  a fine  singer. 


60.  BALTIMORE  ORIOLE. 

Black  and  orange. 

7J^-8.  See  88. 

61.  SCARLET  TANAGER. 

Scarlet  and  black Scarlet. 

Entirely  scarlet,  except  black  wings  and  tail;  $, 
olive-green  above,  yellowish  below. 

Rather  general,  but  not  abundant,  up  to  northern  part  of  N.  E.  and 
in  Ad’r’ks  ; nest,  inartistic,  in  tree  or  thicket,  not  far  from  ground  ; 
eggs,  latter  part  of  May,  3-5,  pale  greenish-blue,  thickly  spotted  ; 
brilliant,  but  not  very  interesting. 


62.  ORCHARD  ORIOLE. 

Black  and  chestnut. 

7.  Entire  head,  neck,  and  back,  black  ; rump  and  upper 
tail-coverts,  chestnut ; wings,  black,  white-barred ; tail, 
black,  with  a little  chestnut ; below,  throat  and  upper 


38 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


breast,  black  ; otherwise  chestnut ; perfect  plumage  in  3 
years ; 2 , above,  olive-yellow,  wings  darker,  whitish- 

barred  ; below,  yellowish  ; smaller  than  $ . 

Breeds  throughout,  but  rare  in  Mass,  and  northward  ; nest,  less 
deep  and  pensile  than  that  of  Baltimore  oriole  ; eggs,  middle  of  June, 
4-5,  white,  spotted. 


62a.  CLIFF  SWALLOW. 
Steel-blue,  blackish Chestnut. 

SSH.  See  112. 


63.  REDSTART. 

Glossy  black,  flame-spotted. 

5X*  Black  throughout,  except  sides  of  breast,  patches 
on  wings,  and  basal  half  of  tail,  which  are  flame-colored ; 
abdomen,  white  ; ? , greenish  above,  whitish  below,  pale 
yellow  in  place  of  flame-color  of  $ . 

Nest,  compact  and  well-made,  in  fork  of  low  tree  or  bush;  eggs, 
June  ist,  4-5,  white,  strongly  spotted  ; has  peculiar  dash  and  vigor, 
with  a characteristic  sharp  note. 

64.  BLACKBURNIAN  WARBLER. 

Black,  white-marked Orange. 

See  97. 


* * Nos.  65-70  : IVifk  no  red  07t  breast, 

65.  RED-WINGED  BLACKBIRD. 

Black. 

9.  Shoulders,  scarlet,  bordered  by  brownish-yellow  to 
whitish  ; otherwise  iridescent  black  ; ? , smaller  ; above, 
dark  ; below,  whitish,  thickly  streaked. 

Nest,  in  swamps,  on  ground  or  low  bush  ; eggs,  middle  of  May,  4-5, 
pale  blue,  somewhat  marked  at  larger  end  ; in  large  flocks  in  spring 
and  fall ; winters  in  S.  N.  J. 


SUMMER  GROUP BLACK  LIST 


39 


66.  CAT-BIRD. 

Slate,  black Slate. 

Billj  crown,  tail,  and  feet,  black ; under  tail-cov- 
erts, chestnut-red  ; a little  lighter  below  than  above. 

Nest,  with  coarse  exterior,  lined,  in  bush  or  thicket ; eggs,  latter 
part  of  May,  3-5,  dark  greenish-blue  ; sings  finely  at  times,  but  inco- 
herently. 


67.  CHEWINK:  TOWHEE  BUNTING. 

Black Black,  chestnut,  white. 

8-8  Eye,  red  ; above,  pure  black  ; outer  tail-feathers, 
mostly  white  ; below,  throat  and  upper  breast,  black ; sides, 
chestnut ; other  under  parts,  white.  $ replaces  black  of 
$ with  warm  brown. 

Breeds  throughout,  but  rare  north  of  Mass,  ; in  winter  exception- 
ally in  N.  E.,  S.  Pa. , and  N.  J. ; nest,  on  ground,  often  in  damp  places  ; 
eggs,  latter  part  of  May,  4-5,  white  or  tinged,  finely  spotted. 


67».  KING-BIRD. 

Blackish-gray White. 

8.  Erectile  crown-feathers,  orange-tipped ; see  47. 


67b.  OVEN-BIRD. 

Rich  olive White,  dark-spotted. 

5/^-6X‘  Crown,  buff-orange,  black-bordered  ; see  41. 

6§.  SWAMP  SPARROW. 

Brownish,  black-streaked Ashy. 

S/4-6.  Forehead,  black  ; crown,  chestnut ; sides  of  head, 
neck,  and  breast,  ashy  ; below,  chin  and  abdomen  nearly 


40 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


white ; breast,  unspotted  but  faintly  streaked,  as  are  the 
brown-shaded  sides. 

Nest,  in  tussock  of  grass,  or  low  in  a bush,  in  swamps  ; eggs,  mid- 
dle of  May,  4-5,  white,  variously  tinged  and  spotted  ; found  chiefly  in 
secluded  wet  lands  ; has  great  variety  of  simple  songs ; winters  in 
Pa.  and  N.  J. 


68a.  sharp-tailed  SPARROW. 

Olive-brown,  streaked Brownish-white,  streaked. 

Superciliary  line,  rich  buff;  see  T. 


69.  CHIPPING  SPARROW:  HAIR-BIRD. 

Reddish-brown , black-streaked Ashy. 

5^.  Bill  and  forehead,  black;  crown,  chestnut;  super- 
ciliary line,  light;  blackish  eye-stripe;  rump,  ashy;  2 
white  wing-bars  ; tail,  emarginate  ; no  markings  on  ashy 
throat  and  breast. 

Nest,  of  fine  vegetable  material,  lined  with  horse-hair,  in  low  tree, 
bush,  or  vine,  seldom  on  ground  ; eggs,  about  June  ist,  4-5,  light 
bluish-green,  dark-spotted. 


TO.  FIELD  SPARROW. 

Light  brown,  black-streaked Brownish-white. 

5^.  dull  reddish  ; crown,  rufous  red  ; sides  of  head 
and  neck^  indefinitely  marked  with  brown  ; 2 obscure  whit- 
ish wing-bars. 

Not  plentiful  northward  beyond  Mass.  ; more  southerly  than  chip- 
ping sparrow  ; nest,  on  ground  or  in  low  bush,  in  open  land  ; eggs, 
late  in  May,  4-5,  grayish-white,  thickly  spattered  with  light  reddish- 
brown  ; pleasing  but  unpretentious  singer ; winters  in  Pa.  and  S. 

N.  j. 


SUMMER  GROUP YELLOW  LIST 


41 


YELLOW  LIST. 

Nos.  71-86  : Showing  Yellow,  but  no  Black. 

* Nos.  71-77  ! With  bright  yellow  on  throat  arid  breast. 


71.  YELLOW-BREASTED  CHAT. 

Bright  olive-green Rich  yellow. 

7.  See 

72.  YELLOW-THROATED  VIREO. 

Olive-green Yellow. 

6.  Superciliary  line  and  eye-ring,  yellow  ; bluish-ash  on 
rump  ; 2 white  wing-bars ; abdomen  and  under  tail-cov- 
erts, white. 

Rarely  north  of  Mass. ; common  in  Ad’r’ks  ; nest,  pensile  and  elab- 
orate, several  feet  from  ground  ; eggs,  about  June  ist,  4,  white,  spot- 
ted with  various  tints  ; handsomest  of  vireos  or  “greenlets.  ” 


73.  PINE  WARBLER. 

Olive Yellow . 

5J^-6.  Superciliary  line,  yellow  ; 2 wing-bars  ; abdomen 
and  under  tail-coverts,  white  ; large  white  tail-spots  ; ? . dull- 
er ; yellow  often  obscure. 

Breeds  throughout  (in  Pa.  in  mts.,  and  in  S.  N.  J.) ; nest,  gener- 
ally in  pines  or  cedars,  delicate ; eggs,  in  May,  4,  white,  spotted  ; 
first  warbler  to  arrive  in  spring  ; runs  along  branches. 


74.  PROTHONOTARY  WARBLER. 

Yellow,  ashy-blue Yellow. 

Bill,  large  and  black  ; golden-yellow  head,  fading 
to  olivaceous  back  ; ashy-blue  rump,  wings,  and  tail ; tail- 


42 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


feathers  largely  white-spotted  ; below,  yellow,  paler  on  ab- 
domen ; in  fullest  plumage,  head  sometimes  orange. 

A southern  species,  extremely  rare ; no  record  in  N.  J.  ; nest,  in 
holes  ; prefers  damp  places. 


75.  SUMMER  YELLOW-BIRD. 

Golden-yellow,  faintly  streaked. 

5.  Breast,  and  sometimes  back,  streaked  with  orange- 
brown,  often  obscurely  ; no  white  on  tail. 

Nest,  of  fine  grass  and  cottony  material,  lined  with  wool,  hair,  feath- 
ers, generally  in  low  bush  ; eggs,  about  June  ist,  4-5,  grayish-white, 
variously  spotted  with  divers  tints. 


76.  NASHVILLE  WARBLER. 

Olive-green Yellow. 

4>^-5.  Head  and  neck,  ashy  ; inconspicuous  chestnut 
spot  on  crown  ; white  eye-ring  ; paler  on  abdomen  ; ? has 
crown-spot  and  ash  on  head  less  noticeable. 

Breeds  from  S.  E.  N.  Y.  northward,  but  occasionally  in  mts.  of  Pa.  ; 
nest,  on  ground  ; eggs,  about  June  ist,  white,  variously  marked. 


77.  BLUE  YELLOW-BACKED  WARBLER:  PARULA 
WARBLER. 

Ashy-blue Yellow. 

4>^.  Yellow  spot  on  middle  of  back;  white  wing-bars  ; 
tail,  white-spotted  ; throat  and  upper  breast,  yellow  ; col- 
lar of  rich  brown  across  breast  ; other  under  parts,  white. 
$ , less  bright,  more  indistinctly  marked. 

Chiefly  on  northern  edge,  but  locally  abundant  in  N J. ; nest,  largely 
of  mosses,  globular  ; eggs,  early  in  June,  4-5,  white,  spotted  with 
reddish-brown  and  lilac  ; a delicate  species. 


SUMMER  GROUP YELLOW  LIST 


43 


* * Nos  78-86  : Without  bright  yellow  on  both  throat  and  breast 
(or  on  neithef^. 

78.  GREAT  CRESTED  FLYCATCHER. 

Greenish-olive Dark  ash,  yellow. 

8>^-9.  Crown-feathers,  erectile  ; tail,  largely  chestnut ; 
throat  and  upper  breast,  dark  ash,  passing  abruptly  into 
yellow. 

Throughout,  but  not  abundant ; nest,  in  hole  of  tree,  usually  con- 
tains snake-skins  ; eggs,  early  in  June,  4-5,  creamy  or  buff,  curiously 
dark-streaked  and  spotted. 

79.  SEA-SIDE  FINCH. 

Olive-brown,  streaked Brownish-white,  streaked . 

6.  Lore,  bright  yellow ; edge  of  wing,  yellow  ; faintly 
streaked  below. 

North  to  Mass.,  in  salt  marshes  of  coast ; not  found  in  Pa.  ; nest,  in 
tussock  of  grass,  near  water;  eggs,  grayish-white,  finely  and  evenly 
spotted  ; abundant. 

79a;  ACADIAN  FLYCATCHER. 

Olive-green Whitish. 

5^-6X-  See  24. 

80.  YELLOW  BELLIED  FLYCATCHER. 

Olive-green Olivaceous-yellow. 

Eye-ring  and  wing-bars,  yellow ; breast  and  sides, 
olivaceous-yellow  ; abdomen,  bright  yellow. 

Authorities  differ  as  to  habitat  of  this  species,  the  records  of  its 
nesting  mostly  coming  from  Me.  and  Pa.  (particularly  in  mts.),  also 
rarely  in  Ad’r’ks  ; nest,  in  damp  places,  near  ground ; eggs,  4-5, 
white,  spotted  ; note,  ^e-a^  uttered  slowly. 

81.  SAVANNA  SPARROW. 

Brownish-gray,  dark-streaked Whitish,  dark-streaked . 

5X*  Faint  median  crown-line  ; often  a cast  of  yellow  about 


44 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


head  ; superciliary  line  and  edge  of  wing,  yellowish ; no 
white  in  tail  ; breast  and  sides,  thickly  dark-streaked. 

Breeds  chiefly  in  N.  E.,  only  migrant  in  Pa.  ; winters  inS.  Pa.  and 
S.  N.  J.  ; nest,  rude,  on  ground  ; eggs,  early  in  May,  4-6,  motley 
colored  ; prefers  salt  marshes  ; runs  rapidly  on  ground. 


82.  SHARP-TAILED  SPARROW. 

Olive-brown,  streaked Brownish-white,  streaked. 

5^.  Superciliary  rich  buff  line  ; see  7. 


83.  WHITE-EYED  VIREO. 

Bright  olive-green White. 

5.  Eye,  white ; eye-ring,  2 wing-bars,  sides  of  breast, 
and  under  tail-coverts,  yellow. 

Nest,  in  low  tree  or  bush,  very  near  ground,  often  of  newspaper,  or 
strips  of  hornet’s  or  wasp’s  nest;  eggs,  ]une  ist,  4-5,  like  those  of 
red-eyed  vireo  ; a dashing  singer. 


84.  SOLITARY  VIREO. 
Olive-green White. 

See  27. 


85.  HENSLOW’S  SPARROW. 

Buff-brown,  dark-streaked Buff-white,  streaked. 

5.  Edge  of  wing,  yellow  ; see  105. 


86.  YELLOW-WINGED  SPARROW. 

Brown,  black-streaked Buff,  not  streaked. 

5.  See  106. 


SUMMER  GROUP BLACK  AND  YELLOW  LIST  45 


BLACK  AND  YELLOW  LIST. 

Nos.  87-106 : Showing  both  Black  and  Yellow. 

* Nos.  87-92  : Black  and  yellow  on  breast. 


87.  MEADOW  LARK. 

Brown,  black-streaked Black  and  yellow. 

10^.  Outer  tail-feathers^  largely  white  j below,  bright 
yellow,  with  large  black  crescent  on  breast. 

Breeds  throughout ; in  winter  exceptionally  in  S.  N.  E. , more  abun- 
dant southward ; permanent  in  N.  J.  ; nest,  on  ground,  chiefly  in 
meadows;  eggs,  latter  part  of  May,  4-5,  white,  spotted  with  brown 
and  lilac  ; flies  straight.^  with  rapid  wing-beat. 


88.  BALTIMORE  ORIOLE:  GOLDEN  ROBIN. 

Black  and  orange. 

7>^-8.  Entire  head,  neck,  and  back,  black  ; rump  and 
upper  tail-coverts,  orange  ; wings,  black,  white-spotted  ; 
tail,  black  and  orange  ; below,  except  black  throat  and  up- 
per breast,  orange  ; orange  throughout  of  variable  intensity  ; 
$ , smaller,  duller,  black  more  or  less  replaced  by  olive  ; be- 
low, pale  orange  throughout,  mixed  with  white,  and  only 
suggestion  of  black  on  throat. 

Nest,  deep  and  pensile,  finely  woven  ; eggs,  June  ist,  4-6,  white, 
slightly  tinged  and  marked ; fine  singer,  artistic  builder. 


88^.  LINCOLN’S  SPARROW. 

Grayish-brown,  streaked Whitish,  streaked. 

See  8. 


46 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


§9.  CANADIAN  FLYCATCHING  WARBLER. 

Ashy-blue Y ello w,  black-streaked . 

5-5^.  Crown,  black-streaked  ; superciliary  line  and  whole 
under  side,  except  white  under  tail-coverts,  yellow  ; chain  of 
black  down  each  side  of  throat,  connecting  with  necklace 
of  jet  across  breast ; wings  and  tail,  unmarked  ; $ has  black 
markings  obscure. 

Breeds  throughout  N.  E.  and  occasionally  in  mts.  of  Pa.  ; only  mi- 
grant in  N.  J.  ; nest,  often  loosely  built  of  pine-needles,  on  ground,  in 
swampy  woodland;  eggs,  4-5,  white,  “clouded  delicately  at  larger 
end  with  brown  and  lilac  ; ” a finer  singer  than  most  warblers. 

90.  HOODED  WARBLER. 

Yellowish-olive Yellow  and  black. 

5X*  Forehead  and  sides  of  face,  rich  yellow,  surrounded 
by  black  hood  covering  rest  of  head,  neck,  and  throat ; 
large  white  spots  on  tail ; hood  not  perfect  till  3d  yr. ; ? 
generally  shows  only  ragged  traces  of  it. 

Rarely  north  of  Conn.  ; nest,  low  in  bush  ; eggs,  4,  white,  red- 
spotted  ; frequently  spreads  tail ; a beautiful  species. 


91.  REDSTART. 

Glossy-black,  flame-spotted  (or  yellow) . 
SX-  See  63. 


92.  PRAIRIE  WARBLER. 

Olive Yellow,  black-streaked. 

4X*  Forehead  and  superciliary  line,  yellow  ; a V-shaped 
black  mark  on  side  of  face  ; brick-red  spots  on  back  ; 2 yel- 
low wing-bars  ; tail,  white-spotted  ; side-streaks  on  throat 
and  breast,  black. 

Seldom  north  of  Mass.  ; abundant  in  S.  N.  J.  : rarely  breeds  in  Pa.  ; 
nest,  of  grass  and  woody  fibre,  lined  with  horse-hair,  feathers,  etc., 
within  a few  feet  of  the  ground  ; eggs,  June  1st,  3-5,  white,  marked 
with  different  shades  ; a flycatcher,  like  the  redstart. 


SUMMER  GROUP BLACK  AND  YELLOW  LIST  47 


* * Nos.  93-97  : Breast  pure  yellow  (or  {91)  black-bordered), 

93.  YELLOW-BREASTED  CHAT. 

Bright  olive-green Rich  yellow. 

7.  Superciliary  line  and  abdomen,  white  ; lore,  black. 

Rarely  as  far  north  as  Mass.  ; nest,  in  bush,  near  ground  ; eggs,  3-4, 
clear  white  ground,  variable  in  markings  ; eccentric  singer  and  acro- 
bat. 

94.  KENTUCKY  WARBLER. 

Olive-green Bright  yellow . 

5l^.  Black  crown;  rich  yellow  superciliary  line  curling 
around  eye  ; black  line  below  eye  and  running  down  side  of 
neck;  no  markings  on  wings  and  tail ; sides,  olive-shaded. 

Rarely  north  to  S.  E.  N.  Y.,  rather  common  in  Pa.,  very  rare  in 
N.  J.  ; nest,  on  ground ; eggs,  4-5,  lustrous  white,  dotted  with  red- 
dish ; more  terrestrial  than  most  warblers  ; walks ^ like  oven-bird. 

95.  BLUE-WINGED  YELLOW  WARBLER. 

Yellow-olive,  ashy-blue Yellow. 

5.  Bill,  dark ; black  eye-stripe ; golden-yellow  head, 
fading  to  olivaceous  back  and  rump  ; ashy-blue  wings 
and  tail ; 2 whitish  wing-bars  ; large  white  spots  on  tail ; dis- 
tinguished from  “ prothonotary  ” by  black  eye-stripe,  white 
wing-bars,  and  olivaceous  rump. 

North  to  southern  N.  E.  ; nest,  in  tuft  of  grass,  a circlet  of  oak- 
leaves  and  thin  bark,  finely  and  deeply  lined  with  fine  grass  and  horse- 
hair ; eggs,  latter  part  of  May,  4-6,  white,  spotted  at  larger  end. 

96.  MARYLAND  YELLOW  THROAT. 

Olive-green Yellow . 

5.  Forehead  and  wide  band  through  eye,  black,  gray- 
edged  above  ; abdomen,  white  ; ? , no  black,  nor  gray  edge  ; 
yellow  restricted. 

Nest,  of  leaves,  grass,  hair,  on  ground,  in  damp  spot ; eggs,  latter 
part  of  May,  4-6,  pure  white  or  creamy,  variously  marked  ; abun- 
dant. 


48 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


97.  BLACKBURNIAN  WARBLER. 

Black,  white-marked Orange,  whitish. 

Head,  throat,  and  breast,  flame-color,  interspersed 
or  bordered  with  abrupt  clear  black  markings  ; large  wing- 
spots  and  much  of  tail,  white  ; sides,  black-streaked ; ab- 
domen, whitish  or  yellowish  ; $ has  black  replaced  by  ol- 
ive, black-streaked,  and  orange  replaced  by  yellow,  and 
white  of  wings  restricted. 

Breeds  in  northerly  part  of  range  and  in  mts.  of  Pa.  ; nest,  of 
strips  of  bark,  silky  fibre,  feathers,  etc.,  higher  from  ground  than  most 
warblers  ; eggs,  middle  of  June,  4-5,  white,  marked ; a splendid 
species. 


* * * Nos.  98-106  : With  no  yellow  on  breast. 

98.  YELLOW-BILLED  CUCKOO. 

Brownish-gray White. 

11-12.  Lower  mandible  and  part  of  upper,  yellow  ; cen- 
tral tail-feathers,  like  back,  the  rest  black,  broadly  white- 
tipped. 

Nest,  very  crude  and  loose  ; eggs,  about  June  ist,  4-8,  lighter  green 
than  in  the  “ black-billed.” 

99.  BLACK-THROATED  BUNTING. 

Grayish-brown Black,  whitish. 

Crown,  olive-yellow  ; yellow  superciliary  line  ; back, 
black-streaked  ; edge  of  wing,  yellow  ; wing-bars,  chestnut ; 
chin,  white  ; large  black  area  on  throat  j breast  and  abdo- 
men, yellowish- white  ; sides,  grayish -white. 

Northward,  to  Mass.,  rarely  ; nest,  on  ground  or  near  it ; eggs,  latter 
part  of  May,  4-5,  greenish-white,  seldom  spotted. 


SUMMER  GROUP — BLACK  AND  YELLOW  LIST  49 


100.  OVEN-BIRD;  GOLDEN-CROWNED  THRUSH. 

Rich  olive White,  dark-spotted. 

Crown,  buff-orange,  black-bordered  ; see  41. 


101.  CHESTNUT-SIDED  WARBLER. 

Streaked  with  black  and  pale  yellow ^White. 

5^.  Forehead  and  crown ^ yellow^  bordered  with  white, 
the  white  bordered  with  black  ; large  black  mark  on  side 
of  face  ; white  wing-bars  ; tail,  white-spotted  ; large  chest- 
nut stripe  down  side  of  breast ; ? , less  strongly  marked. 

Throughout ; in  Pa.  and  N.  J.  it  breeds  chiefly  in  mts.  ; nest,  of 
narrow  strips  of  thin  bark,  dried  grass,  hair,  in  low  bush  in  rather  open 
land ; eggs,  June  ist,  4-5,  white,  spotted. 


lOla.  SHARP-TAILED  SPARROW. 

Olive-brown,  streaked Brownish-white,  streaked. 

SX-  See  7. 


102.  BLACK-THROATED  GREEN  WARBLER. 

Yellow,  olive-green- Black,  white. 

5.  Forehead  and  entire  side  of  face^  rich  yellow  ; wings 
and  tail,  dark ; 2 white  wing-bars ; outer  tail-feathers, 
largely  white  ; throat  and  breast,  jet  black  ; otherwise,  be- 
low, white  or  whitish  ; $ (and  S in  fall)  has  little  or  no 
black. 

Especially  abundant  in  N.  E. ; breeds  in  higher  mts.  of  Pa. ; only 
migrant  in  N.  J.  ; nest,  small  and  pretty,  usually  in  pines,”  10-50 
feet  from  ground ; eggs,  in  June,  3-4,  creamy,  marked;  beautiful, 
and  with  continuous  simple  song  through  summer. 


50 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


103.  WHITE-THROATED  WARBLER. 

Slaty-blue White. 

5.  Superciliary  line  and  cheeks,  white  ; narrow  black  eye- 
stripe  ; crown  and  large  wing-patch,  rich  yellow  ; below, 
entirely  white. 

Extremely  rare  ; mostly  found  in  N.  E.  ; nest  and  eggs,  as  yet  un- 
discovered. 

104.  BLUE  GOLDEN-WINGED  WARBLER. 

Slaty-blue Black,  white. 

5.  Bill  and  broad  eye-stripe,  black  ; crown  and  large 
wing-patch,  rich  yellow  ; tail,  white -spotted  ; throaty  black  ; 
otherwise,  below,  white  or  yellow-tinged ; ? has  less  dis- 
tinct markings. 

Northward  to  S.  N.  E.;  in  Pa.  rare  migrant,  possibly  breeding  ; very 
rare  in  N.  J. ; nest,  on  ground  ; eggs,  June  ist,  4-5,  white,  with  red- 
dish-brown dots. 

105.  HENSLOW’S  SPARROW. 

Buff-brown,  black-streaked Buff-white,  streaked. 

5.  Crown,  blackish,  with  buff  median  line  ; edge  of  wing, 
yellow  ; throat  and  abdomen,  whitish ; breast  and  sides, 
strongly  dark-streaked  ; chiefly  distinguished  from  “ yel- 
low-winged ’’  by  streaks  below. 

Not  common  so  far  north  as  N.  E. ; only  rare  migrant  in  Pa.  ; rarer 
than  “yellow-winged ’’ sparrow ; nest,  in  tuft  of  grass;  eggs,  4-5, 
greenish-white,  sprinkled  with  red ; in  open  grass-land. 

106.  YELLOW-WINGED  SPARROW. 

Brown,  black-streaked Buff. 

5.  Crown,  blackish,  with  buff  median  line  ; short  super- 
ciliary line,  yellowish  ; edge  of  wing,  yellow  j spot  on  wing, 


SUMMER  GROUP BLUE  OR  RED  LIS- 


SI 


yellowish  ; below,  rich  buff,  unstreaked  ; abdomen,  whit- 
ish. 

Nest,  on  ground,  in  open  land  ; eggs,  June  ist,  4-5,  pure  white, 
spotted  ; frequents  open  sandy  fields. 


BLUE  OR  RED  LIST. 

Nos.  107-118 ! Showing  neither  Black  nor  Yellow. 

107.  BELTED  KINGFISHER. 

Ashy-blue Blue,  white. 

I2j^.  Long,  thin  crest,  a little  darker;  wings  and  tail, 
dark,  white-spotted  ; below,  white  on  throat  and  extend- 
ing around  neck,  but  not  meeting  on  hind-neck ; broad 
breast-band  and  sides,  ashy-blue  ; abdomen,  white  ; ? 

has  abdomen-band  and  sides  chestnut. 

Nest,  a deep  horizontal  hole  in  sand -bank,  enlarged  at  inner  end, 
lined  with  a few  fish-bones ; eggs,  June  ist,  6-8,  pure  white  ; always 
near  water  ; has  peculiar  rattling  notes. 

107a.  PURPLE  MARTIN. 

Lustrous  steel-blue. 

7.  See  33. 

108.  BLUEBIRD. 

Lustrous-blue Chestnut,  white. 

Throat,  breast,  and  sides,  chestnut ; abdomen, 

white. 

Nest,  of  various  fine  materials,  in  natural  or  artificial  hole  in  tree, 
post,  etc.;  eggs,  May  ist,  4-6,  light  blue  ; earliest  herald  of  spring; 
permanent  in  N.  J. 


109.  BARN  SWALLOW. 

Steel-blue Chestnut. 

6-7.  Forehead,  chestnut  ; tail,  deeply  forked,  white-spot- 
ted ; below,  various  shades  of  chestnut,  deepest  on  breast ; 


52 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


an  imperfect  steel-blue  collar  across  breast ; distinguished 
from  all  other  swallows  by  forked  tail. 

Nest,  of  mud,  lined  with  soft  material;  eggs,  middle  of  May,  3-6, 
white,  thickly  spotted. 

110.  SOLITARY  VIREO:  BLUE-HEADED  VIREO. 

Olive-green White. 

S/4*  Head,  bluish-ash  ; see  27. 

111.  INDIGO-BIRD. 

Indigo-blue. 

S/4*  Wings  and  tail,  blackish  ; see  39. 

112.  CLIFF  SWALLOW:  EAVE  SWALLOW. 

Steel-blue Chestnut. 

5-5^.  Forehead,  light  brown  ; sides  of  head  and  rump, 
chestnut  ; wings  and  tail,  dark  ; tail,  emarginate  ; throat 
and  breast,  chestnut,  breast  paler,  with  steel-blue  spot ; 
abdomen,  white. 

Nest,  somewhat  gourd-shaped,  of  mud,  lined,  under  eaves,  in  colo- 
nies ; eggs,  middle  of  May,  3-6,  white,  thickly  spotted. 

113.  CCERULEAN  WARBLER. 

Azure-blue,  dark-streaked White,  blue-streaked. 

4>^.  See  55. 

114.  SUMMER  RED-BIRD:  SUMMER  TANAGER. 

Vermilion. 

7^-8.  $ , above,  brownish-olive  ; below,  pale  buff-yel- 
low. 

Rarely  north  to  Mass.,  seldom  in  Conn.,  rare  in  Pa.,  not  found  in 
N.  J.  ; nest,  rude,  in  tree  or  thicket,  not  far  from  ground ; eggs,  lat- 
ter part  of  May,  3-5,  pale  greenish-blue,  thickly  spotted. 

114a.  CARDINAL  GROSBEAK. 

Vermilion. 


Syi*  Crested;  see  58, 


SUMMER  GROUP — BLUE  OR  RED  LIST 


S3 


115.  PURPLE  FINCH. 

Carmine,  brownish. 

6.  Large  bill ; crown-feathers,  erectile  ; throughout,  car- 
mine of  varied  intensity,  fore-part  brightest ; back,  dark- 
streaked  ; wings  and  tail,  darker ; abdomen,  white  ; $ , olive- 
brown,  dark-streaked  ; abdomen,  white. 

Breeds  throughout,  but  sparingly  in  Pa.  and  N.  J. ; in  winter,  rarely 
north  to  Mass.,  occasionally  in  Ad'r’ks,  but  rather  abundant  in  Pa.  ; 
nest,  of  various  vegetable  fibres,  in  tree,  not  far  from  ground;  eggs,  lat- 
ter part  of  May,  4-5,  pale  green,  thinly  dark-spotted  ; a fine  warbler. 

116.  VESPER  SPARROW. 

Grayish-brown,  dark-streaked White,  streaked. 

6.  Wing-patch,  chestnut ; see  6. 

117.  FIELD  SPARROW. 

Light  brown,  dark-streaked Brownish-white. 

5)^.  Crown,  reddish;  see  70. 

118.  RUBY-THROATED  HUMMING-BIRD. 

Golden-green Ruby,  white. 

3^.  Wings  and  tail,  brownish-purple  ; tail,  forked  or 
emarginate  ; throat,  metallic  ruby-red  ; sides,  green  ; breast 
and  abdomen,  white  ; ? , smaller ; tail,  black-barred  ; outer 
feathers,  white-tipped  ; throat,  white. 

Nest,  delicate  and  elegant;  eggs,  early  June,  2,  white;  America 
(North  and  South)  alone  of  all  the  continents  possesses  humming- 
birds. 


Winter  Birds  Found  Regularly  or  Occasionally  in 
Summer. 

(The  bird'^s  proper  nu77tber  p7'ecedeSy  its  length  follows^  its  name,) 

184.  Brown  Creeper;  ; Mass,  and  northward,  and  in 
mts.  of  Pa.,  regularly. 


54 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


201.  Shore  Lark  ; 7~7/^  5 Ad’r’ks,  not  uncommon. 

186.  Winter  Wren  ; 4 ; on  northern  edge,  and  in  mts.  of 
Pa.,  regularly. 

185.  Pine  Finch  ; 4^  ; on  northern  edge  (exceptionally  in 
Mass.),  and  in  mts.  of  Pa.,  regularly. 

191.  Snow-bird  ; 6-6^ ; on  northern  edge,  and  in  mts.  of 
Pa.,  regularly ; said  to  breed  on  Mt.  Wachusett,  Mass. 

199.  Canada  Nuthatch  ; 4^-5  ; Ad’r’ks,  and  in  mts.  of  Pa., 
regularly. 

196.  Common  Crossbill  ; 6 ; on  northern  edge,  and  in  mts. 
of  Pa.,  regularly. 

197.  White-winged  Crossbill;  6;  on  northern  edge,  and 
in  mts.  of  Pa. , regularly  ; rare. 

187.  Butcher-bird;  9-10;  on  northern  edge,  regularly. 

195.  Pine  Grosbeak  ; 8-9 ; on  northern  edge,  regularly. 

193.  PIudsonian  Chickadee  ; 5 ; on  northern  edge,  regu- 
larly. 

202.  Golden-crowned  Kinglet  ; 4-4^^  ; on  northern  edge, 
regularly. 


Migrant  Birds  Pound  Regularly  or  Occasionally  in 
Summer  in  Pa. 

169.  Mourning  Warbler  ; 5-5 ; in  mts.,  regularly. 

161.  Black-throated  Blue  Warbler;  5;  in  mts.,  regu- 
larly. 

150.  Olive-backed  Thrush  ; 7-7 ; in  mts.,  occasionally. 

151.  Hermit  Thrush  ; 7-7  ; in  mts.,  occasionally. 

171.  Black-and-yellow  Warbler  ; 5;  in  mts.,  occasionally. 
175.  Yellow-rumped  Warbler;  5^;  in  mts.,  occasion- 
ally. 

156.  Bronzed  Grackle  ; 12-13;  W.  Pa.,  regularly. 

162.  Wild  Pigeon  ; 16 ; occasionally. 

178.  American  Snipe;  10;  occasionally. 


SUMMER  GROUP — WATER  BIRDS 


55 


SUMMER  GROUP. 

WATER  BIRDS. 

In  sub-groups^  according  to  general  habitat. 

119.  UPLAND  PLOVER. 

Blackish Pale  rufous,  black-streaked. 

12.  Bill,  yellow;  above,  blackish,  speckled  with  white 
or  tawny  ; tail,  orange-brown,  dark-barred,  white-tipped  ; 
upper  breast  and  sides,  black-streaked. 

In  uplands  and  meadows  ; a “ game-bird  nest,  of  straw  or  grass, 
on  ground ; eggs,  4,  clay-colored  or  creamy,  spotted. 

120.  WOODCOCK. 

Variegation  of  dark  tints Variable  pale  brown. 

10,  Bill,  very  long;  large  head;  ‘‘large  eyes  in  back 
upper  corner  ; ” dark  stripe  from  bill  to  eye  ; tail,  very 
short,  barred  ; ? , larger. 

Throughout,  occasionally  in  winter  ; a winter  bird  in  N.  J.  ; nest, 
on  ground  ; eggs,  in  April,  4,  thickly  marked ; prefers  damp  places. 


RAILS. 

This  family,  two  species  of  which  are  called  marsh  hens, 
somewhat  resemble  in  appearance  the  domestic  fowl.  They 
are  to  be  found  almost  exclusively  in  open  marshes,  nest- 
ing on  the  ground,  and  secreting  themselves  in  the  thick 
growth  of  reeds  and  grasses. 

121.  KING  RAIL:  FRESH-WATER  MARSH  HEN. 

Brownish-black,  lighter  streaked Cinnamon-red. 

17-19.  Bill,  long  ; dark  eye-stripe  ; streaked  on  upper 


56 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


side  ; tail,  short  ; below,  breast  rich  cinnamon-red,  throat 
and  abdomen  paler  ; flanks,  blackish,  white-barred. 

Locally  in  Pa.  and  N.  J.  in  fresh-water  marshes  ; casually  to  Conn. ; 
nest  and  eggs,  as  in  clapper  rail. 


122.  CLAPPER  RA8L:  SALT-WATER  MARSH  HEN: 
MUD  HEN. 

Brownish-gray,  variegated Dull  brown. 

14-16.  Bill,  long ; superciliary  line  and  throat,  whitish  ; 
almost  no  tail  ; sides  and  under  tail-coverts,  white-barred. 

Abundant  along  southern  coast  of  N.  J.,  accidentally  in  Pa.,  strag- 
gling to  Mass.  ; in  salt  marshes  ; nest,  of  reeds  and  grasses,  on  wet 
ground  ; eggs,  6-12,  whitish  to  buff,  spotted. 


123.  VIRGINIA  RAIL. 

Olive-brown Cinnamon-red. 

8-10.  A small  fac-simile  of  king  rail  (121). 

Breeds  throughout,  in  fresh  or  salt  marshes ; nest  and  eggs,  as  in 
king  rail,  but  smaller. 

124.  CAROLINA  RAIL:  COMMON  RAIL. 

Dark  olive-brown,  white-specked Dark  gray. 

8-9.  short ; fore  part  of  face  and  central  line  of 

throat,  black  ; tail,  short  ; flanks,  black-and-white  barred. 

Breeds  throughout,  but  in  N.  J.  chiefly  migrant ; especially  abun- 
dant in  Aug.  and  Sept.  ; nest,  as  in  other  rails  ; eggs,  6-12,  drab,  spot- 
ted ; abundant  game  bird. 

125.  YELLOW  RAIL. 

Brownish-yellow,  black-streaked Paler. 

6.  Lighter  superciliary  line  ; thickly  spotted  above  with 
white  ; flanks,  black-and-white  barred. 

Nest,  and  habits,  as  in  other  rails  ; eggs,  6,  buff-brown,  spotted  ; in 
Pa.  and  N.  J.  a rare  migrant. 


SUMMER  GROUP — WATER  BIRDS 


57 


126.  FLORIDA  GALLINULE:  RED-BILLED  MUD  HEN. 

Blackish. 

12-14.  Bill  and  horny  plate ^ from  base  of  bill  upward, 
bright  red;  bill,  tipped  with  yellow ; back,  brownish-olive  ; 
flanks,  white-barred  ; rear,  white. 

Breeds  rarely  as  far  north  as  Mass.,  rather  rare  migrant  in  Pa.  and 
N.  J. ; nest,  a hollow  in  a mass  of  dried  reeds,  almost  floating  in 
water ; eggs,  10-14. 


127.  AMERICAN  COOT:  WHITE-BILLED  MUD  HEN. 

Dark  slate Lighter. 

14-16.  Bill,  whitish  ; head,  neck,  and  tail,  blackish  ; be- 
low, grayish  ; under  tail-coverts,  white. 

Breeds  rarely  in  N.  E.,  only  migrant  in  Pa.  and  N.  J.  ; frequents 
reedy  marshes  and  stagnant  water  ; nest,  sometimes  on  dry  ground, 
oftener  built  in  water,  like  grebe’s,  almost  floating ; eggs,  12,  clay-color, 
minutely  brown-dotted. 


128.  SEMIPALMATED  TATTLER:  WILLET. 

Ashy,  black-speckled White,  spotted. 

16.  Bill,  long  ; pure  white  area  on  wings  ; breast,  often 
tinged  with  brown  ; entire  under  side,  spotted  or  streaked  ; 
blue  legs. 

Breeds  in  salt  or  fresh  marshes  ; in  Pa.  only  rare  migrant ; locally 
abundant,  but  most  numerous  in  migration  ; nest,  in  tussock  of  grass  ; 
eggs,  3-4,  various  ground-tints,  strongly  spotted  ; noisy  when  alarmed. 


129.  AMERICAN  BITTERN. 

Variegation  of  brown,  black,  tawny,  etc. Light  tawny, 

spotted. 

23-34.  Eye,  yellow  ; a glossy  black  patch  on  each  side  of 
neck  ; tail,  short  ; legs,  greenish-yellow. 

Breeds  throughout,  in  bogs  ; commonly  found  solitary ; nest,  on 
ground  ; eggs,  3-5,  brownish-drab. 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


58 


130.  LEAST  BITTERN. 

Greenish-black Brownish-yellow . 

11-14.  Eye,  yellow  ; crown,  back,  and  tail,  glossy  green- 
ish-black ; hind-neck,  chestnut ; sides  of  neck,  breast,  and 
abdomen,  brownish-yellow  ; throat,  whitish  ; blackish  patch 
on  side  of  breast ; legs,  green  ; ? has  chestnut  crown  and 
back. 

Breeds  throughout,  but  rare  north  of  Mass,  and  not  abundant 
south  ; in  marshes  ; nest,  on  or  near  ground  ; eggs,  3-5,  white,  blue- 
tinged. 


HERONS. 

These  are  the  largest  of  our  water  birds,  living  in  wooded 
swamps,  often  in  colonies,  and  nesting  in  trees. 

131.  GREAT  BLUE  HERON. 

Slaty-blue Black. 

42-50.  Bill  and  eyes,  yellow ; crest  of  long  feathers  and 
2 plumes,  black  ; head,  black  and  white  ; long,  slender 
shoulder-feathers,  grayish  ; long  legs. 

Nest,  in  tree  or  bush  ; eggs,  3-4,  pale  greenish-blue  ; found  in 
pairs,  small  flocks,  more  rarely  in  large  heronries  ; identified  by  great 
size  and  dark  plumage  ; winters  occasionally  in  N.  J. 

132.  GREAT  WHITE  HERON. 

Pure  white. 

36-42.  No  crest,  but  in  breeding  season  with  splendid 
train  of  long  plumes  from  back,  reaching  beyond  tail  ; legs, 
black. 

A southern  species,  but  very  rarely  throughout  range ; nesting,  like 
“ great  blue.” 


SUMMER  GROUP WATER  BIRDS 


59 


133.  SMALL  WHITE  HERON:  EGRET. 

Pure  white. 

24.  Bill,  black ; eyes,  yellow ; crest  of  long  feathers,  a 
train  of  plumes  from  back,  and  lengthened  feathers  on 
lower  neck  in  breeding  season  ; legs,  black  ; eggs,  4. 

Extremely  rare. 

134.  LITTLE  BLUE  HERON. 

Dark  grayish-blue. 

24.  Eyes,  yellow  ; head  and  neck,  maroon  ; this  species 
is  sometimes  pure  white,  then  almost  precisely  like  “ small 
white  heron.” 

A southern  species,  very  rare  in  Northern  States  ; nesting,  as  in 
egret. 


135.  NIGHT  HERON:  QUA-BIRD:  SQUAWK. 

Bluish-gray,  dark  green Whitish. 

24.  Long  black  bill  ; eye,  red  ; forehead,  white  ; crown, 
shoulders,  and  interscapulars,  glossy  dark  green  ; 2 or  3 
very  long  slender  white  plumes  from  hind  head  ; other- 
wise, above,  bluish-gray  ; legs,  yellow. 

Most  abundant  heron  ; usually  gregarious  ; occasionally  in  winter  ; 
nest,  high  in  tree  ; eggs,  early  in  June,  4-6,  pale  green. 


136.  GREEN  HERON. 

Dark  green Dark  brown. 

16-18.  Bill,  long  and  blackish  ; crown  and  long  plumes 
of  hind-head,  glossy  green,  sometimes  iridescent ; back, 
slightly  bluish  ; neck,  purplish  chestnut ; white  line  down 
middle  of  throat  and  breast  ; legs,  greenish-yellow. 

In  pairs,  rather  than  gregarious  ; nest,  in  tree  or  bush  ; eggs,  in 
May,  5-6,  pale  greenish-blue. 


6o 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


The  two  following  are  found  along  ponds  and  streams  : 

137.  SUMMER  DUCK. 

Blackish,  iridescent Chestnut,  white,  buff. 

19.  Slightly  crested  ; head,  with  green  and  purple  lustre, 
and  white-streaked ; shoulders,  black  ; throat  and  breast, 
chestnut  ; white  crescent  on  each  side  in  front  of  wing  ; 
sides,  buiif,  black-lined  ; abdomen,  white  ; ? , duller  and 
less  distinctly  marked. 

Breeds  throughout  in  woody  places  near  water ; nest,  in  tree-hole  ; 
eggs,  about  12,  pale  drab  ; handsomest  of  the  ducks. 

13§.  PIED-BILLED  GREBE:  DABCHICK  : HELL  DIVER. 

Brownish-black Ashy,  dark-spotted. 

13.  Crown  and  hind-neck,  grayish-black;  large  black 
throat-patch  ; below,  somewhat  spotted  ; abdomen,  white. 

Breeds  rarely  throughout ; in  winter,  frequent  in  Pa.,  rare  inN.  J.; 
nest,  a compact  mass  of  aquatic  plants,  on  edge  of  pond,  or  built  up 
from  beneath  water  ; a sort  of  floating  island  ; eggs,  5-6,  whitish,  un- 
spotted ; more  abundant  in  migration. 


PLOVERS. 

The  two  allied  families,  plovers  and  sandpipers,  are 
mostly  small  wading  coast-birds,  nearly  all  of  them  breed- 
ing far  to  the  north  ; only  four  species  can  be  said  to  sum- 
mer within  territory. 

139.  SEMIPALMATED  PLOVER. 

Ashy-brown White. 

7.  Black  band  across  forehead  and  over  eye,  and  one 
across  breast  ; legs,  yellowish. 

Breeds  only  very  rarely  in  territory,  but  an  abundant  migrant  in 
May,  Aug.,  and  Sept,  on  coast,  and,  in  Pa.,  at  Lake  Erie,  and  along 
largest  rivers. 


SUMMER  GROUP — WATER  BIRDS 


6i 


140.  PIPING  PLOVER. 

Pale  ashy-brown White. 

6^.  Black  line  across  forehead  ; sides  of  face,  white  ; 
black  band  across  upper  breast,  often  interrupted,  and  not 
circling  neck  ; $ has  black  of  forehead  and  neck  obscure. 

Breeds  anywhere  along  coast,  but  most  abundant  in  migration, 
when  it  is  found  in  flocks  ; nest,  in  tussock  of  grass  ; eggs,  June  ist, 
4,  clay-colored  or  creamy,  with  a few  small  dots. 


141.  KILDEER  PLOVER. 

Grayish-brown White,  black-banded. 

9-10.  Black  line  each  si^e  of  crown,  meeting  on  forehead  ; 
white  superciliary  line  ; black  eye-stripe  ; tail,  with  i to  3 
black  bars,  white-tipped  ; below,  white,  with  2 broad  black 
bands  across  upper  breast,  reaching  to  hind-neck. 

This  and  spotted  sandpiper  the  most  abundant  of  the  “waders  ” 
breeding  in  territory  ; not  gregarious  ; an  inland  rather  than  a coast- 
bird  ; name  from  sound  of  note  ; nest,  in  grass,  near  water;  eggs,  in 
May,  4,  creamy  to  clay-color,  spotted  ; winters  in  S.  Pa. 

142.  SPOTTED  SANDPIPER. 

Ashy-olive,  black-speckled White,  spotted. 

White  superciliary  line  ; white  on  wings  ; tail,  white- 
barred  ; below,  pure  white,  with  large  black  spots  ; feet, 
pinkish. 

Along  every  fresh-water  course  and  on  N.  J.  coast ; peculiar  teeter- 
ing of  body,  and  low  flight ; nest,  on  ground,  near  water;  eggs,  4, 
tinted  and  marked. 


GULLS  AND  TERNS. 

These  are  beautiful  aerial  coast-birds,  the  former,  for 
the  most  part,  coming  from  the  north  in  winter,  the  latter 
from  the  south  in  summer  ; they  breed  only  locally  within 
territory. 


62 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


143.  LAUGHING  GULL:  BLACK-HEADED  GULL 

Black,  slate,  white White. 

16-19.  Head  and  fore-neck  all  round,  blackish  ; rest  of 
neck,  rump,  tail,  and  below,  white  ; wings  and  back,  slate. 

A southern  species,  seen  only  in  summer ; breeds  along  coast ; 
nest,  on  ground,  commonly  on  sand,  of  sea-weeds,  etc.;  eggs,  3, 
greenish,  spotted  ; in  Pa.,  only  migrant  on  Susquehanna  River. 


144.  ARCTIC  TERN. 

Pearly-blue. 

14-17.  Bill,  red  ; entire  top  of  head,  black  ; tail,  white  ; 
below,  a little  lighter  blue  than  above  ; under  tail-coverts, 
pure  white. 

Breeds  in  same  localities  as  “ common  tern  ; " nesting  and  eggs, 
similar. 


145.  COMiVION  TERN:  SEA  SWALLOW. 

Pearly-blue White. 

13-16.  Bill,  red ; entire  top  of  head,  black  ; back  and 
wings,  pearly-blue  ; tail,  white,  forked ; feet,  red. 

Breeds  on  several  islands  off  coast  of  N.  E.,  and  a few  on  N.  J. 
coast ; nest,  on  ground,  of  dried  grass,  or  simply  a slight  depression ; 
eggs,  middle  of  June,  3,  drab  to  buff,  splashed  wiih  dark  spots  ; very 
gregarious. 


146.  ROSEATE  TERN. 

Pale  pearly-blue White,  rose-tinted. 

12-16.  Bill,  black  ; glossy  black  cap  ; tail,  white,  forked; 
feet,  red. 

Breeds  in  same  localities  as  “common  tern;’’  nest  and  eggs, 
similar. 


MIGRANT  GROUP LAND  BIRDS 


63 


147.  LEAST  TERN. 

Pearly-blue White . 

9.  Bill,  yellow,  black-tipped  ; glossy  black  cap  ; tail, 
forked  ; feet,  pale  orange. 

Breeds  in  same  localities  as  foregoing ; eggs,  1-3,  laid  on  bare 
sand  or  in  slight  depression. 


148.  STORMY  PETREL:  “MOTHER  CAREY’S 
CHICKENS.” 

Blackish. 

8.  Bill,  black  ; rump^  white ; tail,  forked. 

Breeds  along  N.  E.  coast ; rather  common  ; nest,  in  horizontal  ex- 
cavation in  ground  ; egg,  single,  white  ; strictly  maritime,  coming  to 
land  only  to  breed. 

There  are  three  species  of  stormy  petrels  to  be  found,  but  almost  or 
quite  indistinguishable  at  field-range  ; the  most  abundant,  Leach’s, 
has  forked  tail,  the  other  two,  square  tails. 


MIGRANT  GROUP. 

LAND  BIRDS. 

Comprising  those  species  that  arrive  from  the  south  in 
spring,  linger  a short  time,  go  north  to  breed — in  the  north- 
ern part  of  the  States  of  Me,  ^ N,  H,,  and  Vt.,  and  the  Adi- 
rondack region  of  N,  F. , or  beyond — return  in  the  same 
manner  in  the  fall,  and  winter  beyond  the  southern  boun- 
dary ; the  periods  for  this  group  within  territory  are  ap- 
proximately April  I — June  i and  Sept,  i — Nov.  i. 


64 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


NEUTRAL  LIST. 

Nos.  149-155:  Showing  neither  Black,  Yellow,  Blue,  nor 
Red. 

(All  but  the  last  three  have  breast  dark-spotted.) 


149.  GRAY-CHEEKED  THRUSH:  ARCTIC  OR  ALICE’S 
THRUSH. 

Brownish-olive White,  dark-spotted. 

Below,  no  buff  tinge  ; breast,  dark-spotted.  . 

Doubtful  if  it  breeds  even  on  northern  edge  ; nest,  clumsy,  on 
ground  ; eggs,  early  June,  3-4,  light  greenish-blue,  thickly  spotted; 
song  said  to  be  different  from  that  of  all  other  thrushes ; possibly  a 
variety  of  the  “ olive-backed.” 


150.  OLIVE-BACKED  THRUSH. 

Brownish-olive Whitish,  dark-spotted. 

7-7)^.  Buff  eye-ring  ; above,  dull  olive  ; below,  whitish; 
breast,  buff-tinged  and  thickly  spotted. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge  and  occasionally  in  higher  mts.  of  Pa.  ; 
nest,  bulky,  without  mud,  within  few  feet  of  ground  ; eggs,  early 
June,  3-4,  light  greenish,  variously  spotted  ; ordinary  singer. 


151.  HERMIT  THRUSH. 

Soft  brownish-olive Buff-white,  spotted. 

7-7 Y'  Yellowish  eye-ring  ; above,  dusky  olive,  becoming 
tawny  on  rump  and  tail ; below,  white  ; breast,  buff-tinged 
and  strongly  spotted. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge  and  occasionally  in  higher  mts.  of  Pa.  ; 
nest,  rather  coarse  and  large,  without  mud,  generally  on  ground ; 
eggs,  early  June,  3-4,  light  greenish-blue  ; winters  in  S.  Pa.  and 
N.  J. ; the  gem  of  thrushes. 


MIGRANT  GROUP NEUTRAL  LIST 


65 


152.  FOX  SPARROW. 

Reddish-tawny White,  spotted, 

7.  Back,  ashy-streaked ; 2 narrow  white  wing-bars  ; be- 
low, prominent  rusty-red  streaks,  except  on  abdomen. 

Does  not  breed  on  northern  edge  ; nest,  on  or  near  ground  ; eggs, 
bluish-white,  heavily  spotted  with  rusty-brown;  winters  in  S.  N.  J.; 
a large  and  handsome  sparrow,  the  most  welcome  of  any  save  song 
sparrow,  and  finest  singer ; comes  with  March  winds. 


153.  ORANGE-CROWNED  WARBLER. 

Olive-green Greenish-white,  streaky. 

4^-5.  Obscure  crown-spot  of  orange-brown  (often  ab- 
sent) ; eye-ring  and  superciliary  line,  yellowish  ; sides,  ol- 
ive-shaded. 

Breeds  in  Arctic  regions  ; nest  and  eggs,  unknown  ; very  rare  ; 
almost  no  record  in  N.  J. 

154.  TENNESSEE  WARBLER. 

Yellowish-olive Whitish. 

4^.  Superciliary  line,  white  ; above,  fore-part  ashy. 

Practically  migrant,  though  breeding  rarely  down  to  Mass. ; locally 
common  in  Ad’r’ks;  nest,  of  grasses,  mosses,  etc.,  lined  with  hair  ; 
eggs,  pearly- white,  marked. 


155.  RUBY-CROWNED  KINGLET. 

Greenish-olive Whitish  or  yellow-tinged. 

4-4^.  See  177.  Many  specimens  (/.^.,  immature  and 
probably  $ ) lack  the  ruby  crown. 


66 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


BLACK  LIST. 

51  Nos.  156-161  : Showing  blacky  but  no  yellow  NOR  RED. 

150.  BRONZED  CROW  BLACKBIRD:  BRONZED 
GRACKLE. 

Iridescent  black. 

12-13.  Threefold  iridescence  in  rather  distinct  areas  ; 
head,  neck,  and  breast,  steel-blue ; wings  and  tail,  violet 
and  purple,  otherwise  shining  brassy. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge,  and  commonly  in  western  part  of  Pa.  ; 
nest  and  habits,  as  in  purple  grackle. 


157.  RUSTY  GRACKLE. 

Rusty  black. 

9.  Summer  dress,  iridescent  black,  which,  in  migration, 
is  overspread  with  rusty  ; bill,  black  ; eye,  pale  white,  or 
yellowish  ; 2 , above,  rusty-brown  ; below,  same,  mixed  with 
grayish-black  ; pale  superciliary  line. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge  ; winters  rarely  in  S.  N.  J.  and  locally  in 
S.  Conn.  ; nest,  large,  of  grass  and  mud,  lined ; eggs,  4,  greenish, 
variable,  brown-spotted. 

158.  WHITE-CROWNED  SPARROW. 

Dark  ash,  brown-streaked Light  ash. 

7.  Forehead,  black  ; broad  vjhite  median  and  supercil- 
iary lines  meeting  on  hind-head,  median  line  bordered  by 
black;  black  eye- stripe  ; rump,  brownish  ; 2 white  wing- 
bars  ; chin  and  abdomen,  whitish  ; flanks  and  under  tail- 
coverts,  brownish ; no  yellow. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge  ; nest,  on  ground  or  in  bush  ; eggs,  4-5, 
very  variable  in  color  ; observe  difference  from  “ white-throated  spar- 
row ; ” found  exceptionally  in  winter. 


MIGRANT  GROUP BLACK  LIST 


67 


159.  WHITE-THROATED  SPARROW. 

Reddish-brown,  black-streaked White,  ashy. 

7.  See  173.  Short  yellow  stripe  may  oscape  notice. 

160.  BLACK-POLL  WARBLER. 

Olive,  black-streaked White. 

5^.  Whole  top  of  head,  glossy  black ; sides  of  head, 
white  ; wing-bars  and  tail-spots,  white  ; sides  of  throat  and 
breast,  black-streaked  ; ? , minus  black  crown,  and,  below, 
white  less  pure,  streaks  less  marked. 

Breeds  exceptionally  on  northern  edge;  nest,  large  for  bird,  oftener 
in  evergreens,  a few  feet  from  ground ; eggs,  late  in  June,  5,  vari- 
ously tinted  ; generally  the  last  spring  migrant,  about  June  ist. 

161.  BLACK-THROATED  BLUE  WARBLER. 

Slaty-blue Black,  white. 

5.  Sides  of  head,  throat,  and  sides  of  body,  black ; 
wings  and  tail,  dark,  former  with  large  white  spot  on  the 
edge  ; below,  except  throat  and  sides,  clear  white  ; $ , dull 
olive  above  ; wing-spot,  somewhat  obscure  ; below,  whitish. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge,  rarely  a little  south,  and  in  the  mts.  of 
Pa.  ; nest,  of  various  fine  materials  ; eggs,  June  ist,  3-5,  “ creamy- 
white,  tinged,  when  fresh,  with  rose-color,”  and  spotted  ; a beauty. 


^ 51  Nos.  162-164  : Showing  black  and  red,  but  no  yellow. 

162.  WILD  PIGEON:  PASSENGER  PIGEON. 

Grayish-blue Purplish-red . 

16.  Bill,  black ; eye,  red ; metallic  gleam  on  neck ; 
shoulders,  black-spotted ; ends  of  wings  and  middle  tail- 
feathers,  black ; outer  tail-feathers,  whitish,  black,  and. 
chestnut ; tail,  long  and  graduated  ; throat  and  breast, 


68 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


purplish-red,  abdomen  lighter  ; sides,  grayish-blue  ; feet, 
red  ; ? has  red  of  breast  replaced  by  grayish-brown. 

Mostly  migrant,  breeding  a little  in  northern  N.  E.  and  Pa.  ; nest, 
frail,  in  tree  ; eggs,  in  April  or  May,  1-2,  pure  white  ; has  largely  ais- 
appeared  from  Eastern  States  ; occasionally  seen  in  winter. 

163.  YELLOW-BELLIED  WOODPECKER. 

Black,  white,  yellowish Scarlet,  black,  yellowish. 

8^.  Crown y crimson y black-bordered ; throaty  crimson', 
yellowish  on  back  and  abdomen  j see  172. 

164.  BAY-BREASTED  WARBLER. 

Olive,  dark-streaked Chestnut,  whitish. 

5^.  Forehead  and  sides  of  head,  black;  crown,  throat, 
upper  breast,  and  sides,  chestnut ; wing-bars  and  tail-spots, 
white  ; abdomen,  buff-white  ; $ has  duller  chestnut  mark- 
ings. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge  ; nest,  rather  large,  of  various  materials, 
usually  in  hemlock,  10-20  ft.  from  ground  ; eggs,  middle  of  June,  4-6, 
bluish-green,  marked ; one  of  latest  to  arrive  in  spring,  and  rather 
rare. 


YELLOW  LIST. 

Nos.  165-167  : Showing  Yellow,  but  no  Black. 

165.  YELLOW  RED-POLL  WARBLER:  PALM  WARBLER. 

Olive,  streaked -Yellow,  streaked. 

5.  superciliary  line,  yellow ; tail-feath- 

ers, white-spotted ; below,  yellow,  faintly  streaked  with 
reddish-brown. 

Exceptionally  breeds  on  northern  edge  ; occasionally  winters  in  S. 
N.  J.  ; nest,  on  ground  ; first  warbler  (except  “ pine  ”)  to  arrive  in 
spring  ; often  found  on  ground  ; constantly  flirts  tail. 


MIGRANT  GROUP — BLACK  AND  YELLOW  LIST  69 


166.  ORANGE-CROWNED  WARBLER. 

Olive-green Greenish-white,  streaked. 

4^-5.  Crown-spot,  orange-brown  ; eye-ring  and  super- 
ciliary line,  yellowish  ; see  153. 

167.  RUBY-CROWNED  KINGLET. 

Greenish-olive Yellowish-white. 

4-4J^.  See  177.  Sometimes  quite  yellowish  below,  and 
with  or  without  ruby  crown. 


BLACK  AND  YELLOW  LIST. 

Nos.  168-175 : Showing  both  Black  and  Yellow. 

* Nos.  168-172  : Throat  and  b7'east  black  {or  ashy)  and yelloWy 
or  pure  yellow. 

168.  CONNECTICUT  WARBLER. 

Olive-green Blackish-yellow. 

5^.  Head,  ashy ; white  eye-ring ; hdloyst,  except  brownish- 
ash  of  throat  and  upper  breast^  yellow ; difficult  to  distin- 
guish from  “ mourning  warbler,”  except  by  its  white  eye- 
ring. 

Breeding-place  not  known  ; more  abundant  in  fall  than  in  spring. 

169.  MOURNING  WARBLER. 

Clear  yellowish-olive Black,  yellow. 

5-5^.  Head,  ashy-gray  ; no  white  eye-ring;  below,  ex- 
cept black  throat  and  upper  breast^  bright  yellow. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge,  and  in  mts.  of  Pa.  ; nest,  of  leaves,  grass, 
hair,  on  ground ; prefers  moist  places  ; eggs,  last  of  May,  4-6,  white 
or  creamy,  variously  marked  ; called  “ mourning  ” from  appearance 
of  crape  on  throat  where  black  is  touched  with  gray. 


70 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


170.  CAPE  MAY  WARBLER. 

Yellowish-olive Yellow,  black-streaked. 

5~5X*  Crown,  blackish  ; lore,  black  ; side  of  head,  yel- 
low ; ear-patch,  reddish  or  orange-brown ; back,  yellow- 
ish-olive, dark-streaked  ; rump,  rich  yellow ; large  white 
patch  on  wings  ; tail,  white-spotted  ; below,  yellow  ; throat, 
tinged  with  orange-brown  ; breast  and  sides,  black-streaked  ; 
$ , somewhat  similar,  but  without  so  distinctive  markings. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge  ; nest,  near  ground  ; eggs,  bluish-white, 
spotted  with  various  shades  ; rare  and  beautiful. 


171.  BLACK  AND  YELLOW  WARBLER:  MAGNOLIA 
WARBLER. 

Blackish-yellow Yellow,  black-streaked. 

5.  Above,  very  dark,  except  bright-yellow  rump  ; fore- 
head and  broad  band  through  eye,  black  ; crown,  ash,  hox- 
dered  with  white  ; prominent  white  patch  on  wing  ; tail, 
white-spotted  ; under  tail-coverts,  white  ; below,  yellow ; 
breast  and  sides,  black-streaked. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge  and  occa.  in  mts.  of  Pa.  ; nest,  in  tree, 
near  ground  ; eggs,  early  June,  4,  dull  white,  finely  dotted  ; showy. 


172.  BLACK-CAPPED  FLYCATCHING  WARBLER : WIL- 
SON’S  BLACK-CAP. 

Yellowish-olive Bright  yellow. 

5.  Forehead  and  sides  of  head,  yellow  ; crown,  black  ; ? 
has  obscure  black  crown,  or  none. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge  ; nest,  said  to  be  in  bushes,  with  4 eggs, 
white,  dotted,  but  its  nidification  is  rather  uncertain. 


MIGRANT  GROUP BLACK  AND  YELLOW  LIST  7 1 


* * Nos.  173-175  : With  throat  scarlet  or  white. 

173.  YELLOW-BELLIED  WOODPECKER. 

Black,  white,  yellowish Scarlet,  black,  yellowish. 

Crown,  crimson,  bordered  by  black  ; 2 white 

stripes,  separated  by  black,  on  side  of  face  ; back,  black 
and  yellowish  ; wings  and  tail,  black  and  white  ; throat, 
scarlet ; breast,  black  ; abdomen,  yellowish ; $ has  white 
on  throat. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge  ; winters  rarely  in  N.  J. ; nest,  in  hole ; 
eggs,  4-6,  pure  white. 

174.  WHITE-THROATED  SPARROW:  PEABODY  BIRD. 

Reddish-brown,  black-streaked White,  ashy. 

7.  White  median  line  on  crown,  bounded  by  black  band  ; 
white  superciliary  line  ; black  eye-stripe  ; from  bill  to  eye, 
bright  yellow  ; 2 white  wing-bars,  not  prominent;  throat, 
white^  bordered  by  black  line  ; breast  and  sides,  ashy- 
gray. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge  ; winters  locally  from  Mass,  southward  ; 
nest,  on  ground  or  in  bush  ; eggs,  June  ist,  4-5,  very  variable  in  col- 
or ; a handsome  sparrow  and  a fair  singer. 

175.  YELLOW-RUMPED  WARBLER:  MYRTLE 
WARBLER. 

Slaty,  black-streaked,  yellow White,  black,  yellow. 

Crown,  rump,  and  spot  each  side  of  breast,  yellow; 
2 white  wing-bars  ; tail,  white-spotted  ; throat  and  abdo- 
men, pure  white  ; breast  and  sides,  black  and  white  ; rump, 
always  yellow  ; other  yellow  spots  variable  or  absent  in 
winter;  ? and  ^ , in  winter,  brownish,  obscurely  streaked. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge  and  rarely  in  mts.  of  Pa.  ; commonest  war- 
bler in  spring ; the  only  warbler  remaining  regularly  in  winter  from 
Mass,  southward,  and  locally  abundant  in  S.  E.  N.  Y.  and  N.  J.  ; 
nest,  in  low  tree  or  bush ; eggs,  early  June,  4-5,  white,  marked. 


72 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


BLUE  OR  RED  LIST. 

Nos.  176,  177:  Showing  neither  Black  nor  Yellow. 

176.  FOX  SPARROW. 

Reddish-tawny White,  spotted. 

7.  See  152. 

176a.  BAY-BREASTED  WARBLER. 

Olive,  streaked Chestnut,  whitish. 

5>^.  See  164. 

177.  RUBY-CROWNED  KINGLET. 

Greenish-olive Whitish. 

4-4^.  Yellowish  eye-ring  ; scarlet  patch  on  crown  in 
mature  $ , probably  absent  in  $ ; 2 whitish  wing-bars ; 
below,  white,  tinged  with  buff  or  yellow. 

Possibly  breeds  on  northern  edge  ; nest,  of  feathers,  hair,  moss, 
etc.  ; eggs,  not  described  ; remarkable  singer  for  its  size. 


T/ie  following  Summer  Birds  are  only  Migrant 
in  Pa.  or  N.  J. ; the  bird’s  proper  number  precedes,  its 
length  follows,  its  name. 

105.  Henslow’s  Sparrow;  5 ; in  Pa.,  rare. 

81.  Savanna  Sparrow;  5)^  ; in  Pa. 

139.  Semipalmated  Plover;  7;  in  Pa.,  rare. 

143.  Laughing  Gull;  16-19;  on  Susquehanna  River. 

21.  Olive-sided  Flycatcher  ; 7^  ; in  Pa.  and  N.  J. 

25.  Traill’s  Flycatcher;  in  Pa.  and  N.  J. 

29.  Philadelphia  Vireo  ; 5 ; in  Pa.  and  N.  J.,  rare. 

8.  Lincoln’s  Sparrow;  5^^  ; in  Pa.  and  N.  J. 

125.  Yellow  Rail;  6;  in  Pa.  and  N.  J.,  rare. 


MIGRANT  GROUP — WATER  BIRDS 


73 


126.  Florida  Gallinule;  12-14;  in  and  N.  J.,  rare. 
5.  Water  Thrush;  5>^-6;  in  N.  J. 

17.  Short-billed  Marsh  Wren;  4)^  ; in  N.  J. 

27.  Solitary  Vireo;  5)^  ; in  N.  J. 

55.  CcERULEAN  Warbler  ; 4>^  ; in  N.  J.,  rare. 

76.  Nashville  Warbler;  4>4-5 ; in  N.  J. 

89.  Canadian  Flycatching  Warbler  ; 5-5^;  in  N.  J. 
97.  Blackburnian  Warbler  ; 4^  ; in  N.  J. 

102.  Black-throated  Green  Warbler  ; 5 ; in  N.  J. 


MIGRANT  GROUP. 

WATER  BIRDS. 

Comprising  those  species  whose  migration  is  inland. 

178.  AMERICAN  SNIPE:  WILSON’S  SNIPE. 

Variegation  of  blackish,  brown,  and  buff White,  brown- 

streaked. 

10.  Bill,  very  long ; tail,  barred,  very  short;  abdomen, 
white. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge  and  occa.  in  northeastern  Pa. , chiefly  in 
open,  damp  places;  nest,  onground  ; eggs,  3-4,  grayish-olive,  strongly 
marked  ; game  bird. 

179.  SOLITARY  SANDPIPER. 

Dark  brown,  white-speckled White. 

8-9.  Tail,  barred  with  black  and  white  ; sides  of  neck, 
brown-shaded  and  streaked ; sides,  black-barred ; legs, 
dull  green. 

Breeds  rarely  on  northern  edge  and  locally  in  Pa.  ; nest,  on  ground ; 
eggs,  rare. 


74 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


WINTER  GROUP. 

LAND  BIRDS. 

Comprising  those  species  that  come  down  from  the  north 
in  the  fall,  pass  the  winter  within  territory,  and  return  north 
in  spring. 


NEUTRAL  LIST. 

Nos.  180-186  : Showing  neither  Black,  Yellow,  Blue,  nor 
Red. 

180.  BOHEMIAN  WAXVVING. 

Orange-brown. 

7-8.  Crested ; see  200,  and  compare  with  Cedar  Wax- 
wing, 255. 

181.  SNOW  BUNTING. 

Variegation  of  white  and  brown,  with  little  black. 
6X-7.  See  190. 

182.  TITLARK:  PIPIT:  BROWN  LARK:  WAGTAIL 

Dark  brown Light  yellowish-brown,  spotted. 

6%.  Above,  minutely  streaked;  superciliary  line,  buff ; 
wings  and  tail,  darker;  outer  tail-feathers,  partly  white; 
breast  and  sides,  dark-spotted. 

In  summer,  entirely  beyond  northern  edge  ; in  winter,  as  far  north 
as  Mass.,  near  coast,  and  occa.  in  S.  Pa  ; nest,  crude,  on  ground  ; 
eggs,  4-5,  dark  chocolate  ; feeble  note,  tremulous  flight,  and  jerking 
tail. 

183.  IPSWICH  SPARROW. 

Grayish-brown White,  brown-streaked. 

6%.  Median  light  crown-line  ; long  whitish  superciliary 
line  ; 2 indistinct  whitish  wing-bars  ; a general  rufous  ap- 


WINTER  GROUP NEUTRAL  LIST 


75 


pearance  above  ; throat  and  abdomen,  pure  white ; other- 
wise, below,  white,  brown-streaked. 

On  coast  of  N.  E. , especially  on  sand-hills  of  Mass,  and  on  those  of 
N.  J.  ; some  doubt  as  to  its  being  a distinct  species. 


184.  BROWN  CREEPER. 

Variegation  of  browns Whitish. 

5^.  Bill,  slender  and  dectirved ; faint  whitish  superciliary 
line  ; above,  curious  mixture  of  browns  and  white  ; tail- 
feathers,  stiff  and  acuminate. 

Breeds  chiefly  on  northern  edge  and  in  mts.  of  Pa.  ; nest,  usually 
lodged  in  crevice  between  bark  of  tree  and  main  wood  ; eggs,  about 
June  ist,  4-8,  dull  white,  brown-spotted;  always  climbing  trees. 


185.  PINE  FINCH:  PINE  LINNET:  SISKIN. 

Flaxen,  dark-streaked Lighter. 

Wings  and  tail,  darker ; variably  suffused  through- 
out with  yellow;  tail,  emarginate. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge,  in  mts.  of  Pa. , and  exceptionally  in  Mass. ; 
in  winter,  throughout ; nest,  high  in  tree  ; eggs,  April  and  May,  4-5, 
light  green,  spotted ; roams  in  large  flocks ; undulating  flight  and 
querulous  note  of  goldfinch,  its  ally. 


186.  WINTER  WREN. 

Dark  wren-brown Light  brown. 

4.  Superciliary  line,  whitish  ; finely  “ waved throughout 
with  darker  brown  ; tail,  short  and  erect. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge  and  in  mts.  of  Pa.  ; winter,  Conn,  and 
southward  ; nest,  of  hemlock  twigs,  feathers,  moss,  in  hole  or  crevice  ; 
eggs,  last  of  May,  5-6,  pure  white  speckled  with  reddish-brown. 


76 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


BLACK  LIST. 


^ Nos.  187-194  : Showing  blacky  but  no  yellow  NOR  RED. 


187.  BUTCHER-BIRD:  GREAT  NORTHERN  SHRIKE. 

Bluish-ash Whitish. 

9-10.  White  superciliary  line  ; broad  black  eye-stripe  ; 
wings  and  tail,  black,  both  with  large  white  spots  ; below, 
whitish,  finely  waved  with  black. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge  ; in  winter  irregularly  south  as  far  as  N. 
C.  ; nest,  in  low  tree  or  bush,  of  coarse  material,  softly  lined  ; eggs, 
4-6,  variegated  with  many  tints  ; disposition  of  hawk  ; has  barbarous 
scream. 


188.  BOHEMIAN  WAXWING. 

Orange-brown. 

7-8.  Black  forehead,  eye-stripe,  and  chin  ; see  200. 


189.  SHORE  LARK;  HORNED  LARK. 

Pinkish-brown White,  black. 

7-7^.  For  winter  plumage,  see  201. 

190.  SNOW  BUNTING:  SNOW-FLAKE. 

White,  brown,  black. 

6%-y,  Winter  plumage,  white,  with  much  brown  in 
endless  variegation ; blackish  crown,  and  some  black  on 
back  ; summer  dress,  pure  white  ; middle  of  back,  wings, 
and  tail,  mostly  black. 

Breeds  far  north  ; in  winter  irregularly  in  Northern  States,  occa.  to 
N.  C.  : nest,  of  grass  and  moss,  on  ground  ; eggs,  4-6,  variable  in 
color  ; often  appears  with  snow-storm  ; commonly  in  large  flocks. 


WINTER  GROUP BLACK  LIST 


77 


191.  SNOW-BIRD. 

Slaty-black Black  and  white. 

6-6^.  Almost  pure  black  on  head  ; outer  taiUfeathers^ 
pure  white  ; below,  throat  and  upper  breast,  black,  passing 
abruptly  into  white  beneath  ; ? has  black  replaced  by  dark 
brown. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge  and  in  higher  mts.  of  Pa.  and  reported  on 
Mt.  Wachusett,  Mass.  ; in  winter,  throughout,  abundant ; nest,  usu- 
ally on  ground;  eggs,  June  ist,  4-5,  variously  tinted  and  marked; 
sprightly  tinkling  notes  in  winter,  and  pleasing  song  in  spring. 

192.  LAPLAND  LONGSPUR. 

Brownish-black,  buff-streaked Black,  white. 

6-6 Winter  plumage,  as  given  ; light  superciliary  line  ; 
whole  head,  throat,  and  breast,  black,  overcast  with  brown- 
ish ; grayish-chestnut  collar ; tail,  dark,  white-spotted ; 
below,  except  throat  and  breast,  white,  dark-streaked  on 
sides. 

Breeds  far  north  ; winter,  throughout,  but  rare ; no  record  in  N.  J.  ; 
nest,  on  ground  ; eggs,  4-6,  dark,  thickly  spotted. 


193.  HUDSONIAN  CHICKADEE. 

Olive-brown Whitish. 

5.  Throat,  blackish  ; sides  and  rear,  light  brown. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge;  in  winter  in  N.  E.,  but  rare;  highest 
authority  fails  to  describe  nest  and  eggs. 


193».  RED-BREASTED  NUTHATCH:  CANADA  NUT- 
HATCH. 


Leaden-blue Reddish-brown. 

4^-5  • See  199, 


78 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


194.  WINTER  WREN. 

Dark  wren-brown Light  brown. 

4.  See  186. 

Nos.  195-199  : Showing  black  AND  red,  but  no  yellow. 

195.  PINE  GROSBEAK. 

Carmine,  blackish Carmine,  gray. 

8-9.  Back,  dark-streaked ; wings  and  tail,  blackish  ; 2 
white  wing-bars  ; below,  fading  to  whitish  on  abdomen  ; ? , 
above,  ashy-gray  ; head  and  rump,  brownish-yellow  ; below, 
lighter  gray. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge  ; winter,  throughout,  irregularly  ; nest,  of 
twigs  and  rootlets,  lined  ; eggs,  4,  greenish-blue,  spotted ; in  flocks, 
chiefly  in  evergreens. 

196.  COMMON  CROSSBILL. 

Brick-red,  blackish Brick-red,  gray. 

6.  Mandibles,  crossed  ; head  and  rump,  brightest  red  ; 
wings  and  tail,  blackish  ; $ , greenish-olive,  dark-streaked  ; 
head  and  rump,  yellowish  ; below,  greenish-gray. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge  and  in  mts.  of  Pa.,  where  large  flocks  are 
found  in  winter  ; permanent  in  Ad’r’ks  ; known  to  breed  in  Feb.  with 
snow  4 ft.  deep ! nest,  in  tree  ; eggs,  in  March  or  April,  4,  greenish- 
white,  prettily  spotted  ; in  flocks,  commonly  in  evergreens. 


197.  WHITE-WINGED  CROSSBILL. 

Brick-red,  blackish Brick-red,  gray. 

6.  Same  as  common  crossbill,  but  with  2 white  whig- 
bars. 

Habitat  and  habits  as  in  common  crossbill  ; permanent  in  Ad'r’ks  ; 
eggs,  pale  blue,  larger,  and  thickly  spotted  ; rare  species  ; irregular  ; 
not  found  in  N.  J. 


WINTER  GROUP BLACK  LIST 


79 


198.  ARCTIC  CHIPPER:  TREE  SPARROW. 

Reddish-brown,  black-streaked Ashy. 

6.  Crown,  chestnut ; whitish  superciliary  line  ; 2 promi- 
nent white  wing-bars ; throat  and  breast,  ashy  ; dark  spot 
in  centre  of  breast. 

Breeds  far  north ; winter,  abundant  throughout ; nest,  in  bush  or 
on  ground  ; eggs,  4-7,  pale  green,  finely  dotted  with  reddish-brown  ; 
runs  rapidly  on  ground  ; has  a musical  chatter. 

198a.  red-poll  linnet. 

Flaxen,  streaked Rosy-tinged,  streaked. 

SYz.  See  204. 

199.  CANADA  NUTHATCH:  RED-BREASTED  NUT- 
HATCH. 

Leaden-blue Reddish-brown. 

4/^-5-  Whole  top  of  head,  black,  bordered  by  white  su- 
perciliary line  ; broad  black  eye-stripe;  tail,  black,  white- 
spotted  ; below,  reddish-brown,  of  various  shades. 

More  abundant  in  migration  ; breeds  in  higher  mts.  of  Pa.  and  in 
Ad’r’ks  ; nidification,  as  in  white-breasted  nuthatch. 


YELLOW  LIST. 

Showing  Yellow,  but  no  Black. 
None. 


BLACK  AND  YELLOW  LIST. 

Nos.  200-202 : Showing  both  Black  and  Yellow. 

200.  BOHEMIAN  WAXWING. 

Orange-brown. 

7-8.  Crested ; forehead,  broad  eye-stripe,  and  chin,  black ; 
a little  white  on  wings  ; red  horny  appendages,  like  bits  of 


8o 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


sealing-wax , often  on  wings,  occa.  on  tail ; tail,  broadly 
yellow-tipped  ; under  tail-coverts,  chestnut-red. 

Infrequent,  and  seldom  farther  south  than  Mass.,  yet  rarely  to  Pa.; 
roams  in  flocks  ; the  more  northern  analogue  of  cedar-bird,  355. 


201.  SHORE  LARK:  HORNED  LARK. 

Pinkish-brown Yellow,  black,  white. 

7-7^.  Summer  dress  : sides  of  face  and  throat,  sulphur- 
yellow  ; black  line  across  forehead  and  bordering  crown, 
extended  into  a small  tuft  or  horn  ; small  black  crescent 
under  eye;  large  black  crescent  on  breast ; tail,  dark  ; outer 
feathers,  partly  white;  in  winter,  coloration  paler,  yel- 
low throat  often  conspicuous. 

Breeds  entirely  north  of  territory,  except  occa.  in  Ad’r’ks  ; flocks 
southward  in  winter,  along  coast,  and  rather  common  in  E.  Pa.  and 
N.  J.  ; nest,  slight,  on  ground ; eggs,  in  April,  4-5,  grayish,  thickly 
spotted  ; allied  to  European  “skylark.” 

202.  GOLDEN-CROWNED  KINGLET. 

Greenish-olive Whitish. 

4-4^.  Yellow  patch  on  crown  (its  centre  Scarlet),  bor- 
dered in  front  and  on  both  sides  by  black  stripe  ; supercil- 
iary line,  whitish  ; 2 whitish  wing-bars. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge  ; nest,  chiefly  of  moss  and  feathers,  hang- 
ing from  low  bough  ; eggs,  6-10,  white,  entirely  speckled  ; our  small- 
est winter  bird. 


BLUE  OR  RED  LIST. 

Nos.  203-206 : Showing  neither  Black  nor  Yellow. 


203.  PINE  GROSBEAK. 
Carmine,  dusky. 

8-9.  See  195. 


WINTER  GROUP BLUE  OR  RED  LIST 


8l 


203^.  COIVIIVION  CROSSBILL 
Brick-red,  dusky. 

6.  See  196. 

203b.  WHITE-WINGED  CROSSBILL. 

Brick-red,  dusky. 

6.  See  197. 

203C.  TREE  SPARROW:  ARCTIC  CHIPPER. 

Reddish-brown,  streaked ^Ashy. 

6.  Crown,  chestnut ; see  198. 


204.  RED-POLL  LINNET. 

Flaxen,  dark-streaked Rosy,  whitish,  dark-streaked. 

^j4.  Bill,  yellow  in  winter  ; crown ^ carmine  ; rump,  rosy- 
white,  dark-streaked  ; wings  and  tail,  dusky ; 2 white  wing- 
bars  ; below,  white,  streaked,  except  on  abdomen ; in 
mature  , breast  rosy-tinged  ; in  2 , rosy  tint  of  rump  and 
breast  absent,  or  nearly  so  ; breast,  dingy-yellowish,  dark- 
streaked. 

Breeds  far  north ; in  winter,  irregular,  throughout ; nest,  near 
ground  ; eggs,  4-5,  pale  blue,  finely  spotted  ; in  flocks. 


205.  AMERICAN  MEALY  RED-POLL. 

Brownish,  dark-streaked White,  rosy-tinted. 

5^.  Crown,  carmine;  rump,  pure  white,  rosy-tinged; 
wings  and  tail,  dusky ; 2 white  wing-bars  ; below,  white  ; 
breast,  rosy-tinged  ; slightly  streaked  on  sides. 

An  Arctic  species  ; in  winter,  only  in  northern  part  of  N.  E. 


82 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


The  Following  Summer  and  Migrant  Birds  are 
Occasionally  Found  in  Winter  : 

57.  Robin;  9-10;  throughout,  more  abundant  southward. 
175.  Yellow-rumped  Warbler  ; 5^  ; Mass,  and  southward, 

regularly. 

115.  Purple  Finch  ; 6;  Mass,  and  southward. 

67.  Chewink  ; 8-8^  ; Mass,  and  southward. 

87.  Meadow  Lark;  10^  ; Mass,  and  southward. 

174.  White-throated  Sparrow  ; 7 ; Mass,  and  southward. 
158.  White-crowned  Sparrow;  7;  Mass,  and  southward, 
rare. 

151.  Hermit  Thrush  ; 7-7^  ; Conn,  and  southward. 

36.  Mocking-bird  ; 9-10 ; Conn,  and  southward,  rare. 

1*08.  Bluebird  ; 6^-7  ; Conn,  and  southward. 

165.  Yellow  Red-poll  Warbler  ; 5 ; possibly  north  to 
Conn. 

157.  Rusty  Crackle  ; 9;  Conn,  and  southward,  rare. 

58.  Cardinal  Grosbeak  ; ; S.  E.  N.  Y.  and  Pa. 

32.  Cow-bird;  7^;  rare. 

65.  Red-winged  Blackbird  ; 9. 

56.  Mourning  Dove  ; 12. 

162.  Wild  Pigeon  ; 16. 

120.  Woodcock  ; 10. 

135.  Night  Heron  ; 24. 

T/ie following  ONLY  in  Pa.  or  N.  J. 

81.  Savanna  Sparrow;  5^  ; S.  Pa.  and  S.  N.  J. 

6.  Vesper  Sparrow  ; 6 ; S.  Pa.  and  N.  J. 

68.  Swamp  Sparrow;  5>^-6;  S.  Pa.  and  N.  J. 

70.  Field  Sparrow;  5^  ; Pa.  and  S.  N.  J. 

152.  Fox  Sparrow  ; 7 ; S.  Pa.  and  N.  J. 

31.  Purple  Crackle  ; 12-13  ; Chester  Co.,  Pa.,  and  S.  N.  J. 
138.  Pied-billed  Grebe;  13;  Pa.  (frequent)  and  N.  J. 
(rare). 

141.  Kildeer  Plover  ; 9-10 ; S.  Pa. 


WINTER  GROUP WATER  BIRDS 


83 


3.  Wilson’s  Thrush  ; 7-7^  ; S.  Pa. 

131.  Great  Blue  Heron  ; 42-50;  N.  J. 

172.  Yellow-bellied  Woodpecker  ; ; N.  J. 

16.  Long-billed  Marsh  Wren;  5-5 ; S.  N.  J. 

17.  Short-billed  Marsh  Wren;  4J4  ; S.  N.  J. 


WINTER  GROUP. 

WATER  BIRDS. 

t Comprising  the  commonest  found  both  on  coast  and  in  the 
interior  in  winter. 

206.  CANADA  GOOSE:  COMMON  WILD  GOOSE 

Black,  grayish-brown Whitish-gray. 

36.  Head  and  entire  neck,  black,  except  white  band- 
age ” on  throat,  nearly  meeting  on  hind-head  ; tail,  black ; 
rest  of  body,  grayish-brown  finely  “ waved  ” with  white  ; 
rear,  white. 

A northern  species,  found  inland  and  on  coast ; in  Pa.  only  a com- 
mon migrant ; nest,  on  ground,  occa.  in  tree  ; eggs,  5-6,  dull  green- 
ish. 

207.  COMMON  LOON:  GREAT  NORTHERN  DIVER. 

Black White. 

31-36.  Head,  neck  all  round,  back  and  wings,  black; 
back  and  wings  with  numerous  white  spots  ; throat,  white- 
streaked  ; ring  of  white  spots  around  neck  ; below,  pure 
white ; sides,  black-streaked. 

A northern  species,  breeding  rarely  in  territory,  though  compara- 
tively common  in  Ad’r'ks  ; most  abundant  in  winter  ; nest,  on  ground, 
by  water ; eggs,  2,  greenish,  thickly  spotted. 


84 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


208.  HERRING  GULL. 

Pearly-blue White. 

22-27.  Tips  of  wings,  black. 

Abundant  along  coast  and  largest  rivers  ; rarely  in  Pa.  ; in  summer, 
locally  at  large  inland  waters,  particularly  in  Ad’r’ks ; nest,  on 
ground,  occa.  in  tree  ; eggs,  3,  greenish-gray,  spotted  ; commonest 
gull. 


209.  BUFFLE-HEAD  DUCK. 

Black,  white White. 

14-16.  Head,  large  and  puffy,  iridescent  with  purple  and 
violet ; large  white  patch  on  side  of  face  ; much  white  on 
wings ; locally  abundant. 


t t Comprising  those  found  regularly  and  not  uncommonly  on  the 
coast,  and  on  larger  waters  of  Pa.  and  N.  J.  in  winter  {ab- 
breviated description). 


210.  COMIVION  GANNET. 

31.  Goose-shaped ; white,  except  black  half  of  wings; 
seldom  on  Jersey  coast ; not  in  Pa. 


211.  GREAT  BLACK-BACKED  GULL. 

31.  Above,  dark  slate  ; below,  white  ; rare  in  N,  J . ; not 
in  Pa. 

212.  GLAUCOUS  GULL. 

30.  Above,  pale  pearly-blue  ; below,  white  ; no  black  ; not 
in  Pa.  nor  N.  J. 

213.  RING-BILLED  GULL. 

1 8-20.  Black  band  around  bill,  near  tip  ; like  herring- 
gull  (208),  but  noticeably  smaller. 


WINTER  GROUP — WATER  BIRDS 


85 


214.  RED-THROATED  DIVER. 

29.  Head  and  neck^  bluish-gray ; hind-neck^  white- 
streaked ; elsewhere^  above ^ black  ; below ^ except  chest- 
nut THROAT,  white ; rare  and  irregular  in  Fa,  and 
N.J. 

215.  MERGANSER:  FISH  DUCK. 

24.  Head  and  necky  lustrous-green;  back  and  wings ^ black 
and  white  ; below,  pinkish-red  ; in  AdW'ks  in  summer* 

216.  RED-BREASTED  MERGANSER. 

24.  Head  and  neck,  dark  lustrous-green ; back  and 
wings,  black  and  white ; throat  and  breast,  deep  reddish- 
brown  ; elsewhere,  below , pinkish-white, 

217.  HOODED  MERGANSER. 

19.  Prominent  crest,  head,  neck  all  round,  and  upper 
parts,  black;  below,  from  neck,  white  ; sides,  finely  dark- 
streaked ; rare  ; in  AdW'ks  in  summer, 

218.  WHITE-WINGED  SCOTER.  \ 

24.  Pure  black,  except  large  white  wing-patch,  and 
white  spot  under  eye, 

219.  BLACK  SCOTER. 

23.  Pure  black  ; rare  in  Pa. 

220.  SURF  DUCK. 

23.  Black  throughout,  except  white  patch  on  forehead 
and  one  on  hind-head, 

221.  GREATER  SCAUP  DUCK. 

20.  Above,  black  ; white  patch  on  wing  ; throat  and  u'b'ber 
breast,  black  ; rest,  white. 


86 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


222.  LESSER  SCAUP  DUCK. 

1 6.  Almost  identical  with  the  last,  except  in  size. 

223.  LONG-TAILED  DUCK:  OLD  SQUAW. 

15- 20.  Head,  neck,  fore~hack,  shoulders,  several  outer 
tail-feathers,  throat,  and  abdomen,  white ; els£where, 
above,  and  breast,  blackish  ; long  tail-feathers. 

224.  THICK-BILLED  GUILLEMOT. 

16- 19.  Above,  and  entire  neck,  dark  brown  ; below,  from 
throat,  pure  white  ; the  great  egg  bird  ” of  N.  Pacific 
coast,  having  com7nercial  value  ; not  in  Pa, 

225.  KITTIWAKE  GULL 

16-18.  Zike  herring ^ull,  but  only  ^ as  (.ong ; rare  in 
N.  f,,  accidental  in  Pa. 

226.  SEA-DOVE:  DOVEKIE. 

8^.  Above,  black ; throat  and  breast,  black,  passing 
abruptly  into  white  beneath  ; straggler  in  Pa. 


PERMANENT  GROUP NEUTRAL  LIST 


87 


PERMANENT  GROUP. 

LAND  BIRDS. 

Comprising  those  species  which,  while  the  individuals 
may  to  a greater  or  less  extent  fluctuate  with  the  spring 
and  fall  migrations,  remain  permanently  represented, 
though  in  varying  numbers,  throughout  the  year. 


NEUTRAL  LIST. 

Nos.  227-230  : Showing  no  Black,  Yellow,  Blue,  nor  Red. 

227.  CANADA  JAY:  WHISKEY  JACK. 

Leaden Gray. 

lo-ii.  No  crest  ; above,  dark  throughout,  except  gray 
face  and  collar,  and  whitish-tipped  wings  and  tail-feathers. 

Resident  on  northern  edge  ; non-migratory,  and  only  casually 
southward,  though  observed  rarely  throughout ; nest,  usually  in  ever- 
greens ; eggs,  3-4,  variable  in  ground-tints  and  spots. 

228.  CEDAR-BIRD:  WAXWING. 
Creamy-brown. 

6-7.  Crested  ; for  black  and  yellow  markings,  see  255. 

229.  SONG  SPARROW. 

Reddish-brown  black-streaked Whitish,  streaked. 

Streaks  and  blotch  sometimes  appear  only 
dark ; see  239. 


88 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


230.  AMERICAN  GOLDFINCH. 

(Winter)  Flaxen-brown Lighter. 

4^.  See  256. 


BLACK  LIST. 


51  Nos.  231>242  : Showing  blacky  but  no  yellow  NOR  RED. 

* Nos.  231-238  ; Black  throughout^  or  with  conspicuous 
black  head-markings. 


231.  AMERICAN  RAVEN.^ 

Black. 

24.  Iridescent. 

Extremely  rare,  along  coast,  throughout  Ad’r’ks,  and  in  Pa.  and 
N.  J.  ; mostly  confined  to  extreme  north,  and  west  of  Mississippi ; 
nest,  high  in  tree  or  on  cliff;  eggs,  4-8,  greenish,  variously  tinted 
and  speckled. 


232.  CROW. 

Black. 

20.  Iridescent. 

Nest,  bulky,  in  tree  ; eggs,  April  or  early  May,  4-6,  variable  in  tint 
and  marking. 


233.  BLACK-BACKED,  THREE-TOED  WOODPECKER. 
Black,  white White. 

8-9.  Yellow  crown-spot  may  escape  notice;  see  253. 


234.  WHITE-BACKED,  THREE-TOED  WOODPECKER. 

Black,  white White. 

8-9.  Yellow  crown-spot  may  escape  notice  ; see  254. 


PERMANENT  GROUP — BLACK  LIST 


89 


235.  EUROPEAN  STARLING. 

Iridescent  greenish-black,  rusty-speckled. 

S}i.  Bill,  long  and  greenish-white , 

Introduced  and  local,  rare  ; nest,  in  tree  ; eggs,  4-7,  pale  greenish. 

236.  CEDAR-BIRD:  WAXWING. 

Creamy-brown. 

6-7.  Crested  ; forehead,  eye-stripe,  and  chin,  black ; yel- 
low tip  of  tail  may  escape  notice  ; see  255. 

237.  WHITE-BREASTED  NUTHATCH. 

Black,  ashy-blue White. 

6.  Entire  top  of  head  and  neck,  glossy  black ; rest, 

above,  ashy-blue ; side  of  face,  white  ; tail,  black,  with 
white  markings. 

Nest,  of  grasses,  feathers,  etc.,  in  hole;  eggs,  June  ist,  white, 
thickly  spotted ; commonly  found  climbing  tree-trunks,  often  head 
downward. 

23§.  CHICKADEE:  BLACK-CAPPED  TITMOUSE. 

Black,  ashy Black,  whitish. 

5-5  Entire  top  of  head ^ nape^  and  throat , black  ; side 

of  face,  white  ; below,  the  white  quite  “ rusty  in  winter. 

Nest,  of  moss,  hair,  wool,  etc.,  in  hole  of  tree,  post,  or  fence  ; eggs, 
latter  part  of  May,  6-8,  white,  spotted  ; in  N.  J.  only  in  winter. 


* * Nos.  239-242  : With  no  evident  black  on  head. 

239.  BLUE  JAY. 

Purplish-blue Whitish. 

11-12.  Crested ; forehead,  black;  wings  and  tail,  blue, 
but  black-barred  and  white-tipped  ; below,  bluish-white  on 


90 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


throat,  black  collar  entirely  round  neck,  breast  otherwise 
gray. 

Rarer  in  winter  ; nest,  in  tree — commonly  evergreen — or  bush  ; 
eggs,  last  of  May,  4-5,  variously  tinted  and  spotted ; screams  much 
like  a hawk. 


240.  ENGLISH  SPARROW. 

Reddish-brown,  black-streaked Black,  ashy. 

6.  Chestnut  border  to  crown  / see  250. 

241.  SONG  SPARROW. 

Reddish-brown,  black-streaked Whitish,  streaked. 

Median  line  on  crown,  and  superciliary  line, 
whitish  ; breast  and  sides,  dark-streaked,  with  conspicuous 
blackish  blotch  on  middle  of  breast. 

Breeds  throughout,  and  winters  as  far  north  as  Mass.,  casually 
farther ; sings  in  winter  in  Pa.  ; nest,  on  ground  or  low  in  bush  ; 
eggs,  May  ist,  4-5,  vary  greatly  in  color  ; earliest  general  songster  in 
spring. 

242.  AMERICAN  GOLDFINCH. 

Winter  plumage  (Oct.-Apr.),  Flaxen-brown Lighter. 

414^.  No  black  crown  ; wings  and  tail,  blackish ; whitish 
wing-bars  ; ? , all  the  year  like  winter  ^ , but  more  olive- 
yellow  above,  and  dingy-yellow  below ; wings  and  tail, 
dark^  whitish-marked  ; for  details,  see  256. 


Nos.  243-250:  Showing  black  red,  but  no  yellow. 

243.  PILEATED  WOODPECKER. 

Black  throughout,  except  white  and  scarlet  markings. 

15-19,  Crested  ; crest  and  cheek-spots,  scarlet;  throat, 
long  stripe  on  side  of  head  and  neck,  with  large  area  on 
wings,  white  ; ? has  crest  only  slightly  scarlet,  and  no 
scarlet  on  check. 

Throughout,  but  more  northerly,  and  only  in  deep  woods. 


PERMANENT  GROUP — BLACK  LIST 


91 


244.  FLICKER. 

Olive-brown Cinnamon,  black,  whitish,  spotted. 

12%.  Above,  black-barred;  black  crescent  on  breast ; 
scarlet  crescent  on  nape  ; see  252. 

245.  RED-BELLIED  WOODPECKER. 

Scarlet,  black,  white Whitish,  reddish. 

Qj^-io.  Red  eye  ; sides  of  head,  whitish  ; entire  crown 
and  nape,  scarlet ; otherwise,  above,  finely  banded  with 
black  and  white  ; below,  whitish,  reddening  on  abdomen ; 
$ has  only  nape  scarlet. 

Southerly  ; casually  in  Conn,  and  northward  ; rare  winter  bird  in 


246.  RED-HEADED  WOODPECKER. 

Crimson,  blue-black,  white. 

Whole  head  and  neck,  crimson  ; back  (except  white 
rump),  wings  (except  large  white  area),  and  tail,  rich  black  ; 
rest,  above  and  below,  with  aforesaid  wing-area,  white. 

Seldom  north  of  Mass.  ; not  found  in  N.  J.  in  winter  ; nest^  in  tree- 
hole  ; eggs,  4-6,  white. 


247.  HAIRY  WOODPECKER. 

Black,  white White. 

9-9 Head,  black,  with  white  stripes  ; scarlet  band  on 
nape  ; back,  wings,  and  tail,  black  and  white  ; $ , without 
scarlet  band. 

Breeds  north  of  Mass.;  more  abundant  in  winter;  “ quite  plenti- 
ful” in  Pa.,  also  found  in  N.  J. ; nest  and  eggs,  as  in  other  wood- 
peckers. 


92 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


248.  DOWNY  WOODPECKER. 

Black,  white White. 

6-7.  Identical  with  hairy  (except  slight  difference  in 
tail-markings),  but  smaller. 

More  southerly  range  than  “hairy,’’  and  more  abundant;  in  or- 
chards as  well  as  woods ; nest,  in  hole  of  tree  ; eggs,  latter  part  of 
May,  4-6,  white  ; sharp,  rich  note. 

249.  TUFTED  TITMOUSE. 

Dark  ashy Whitish,  chestnut. 

6-6 Crested ; black  spot  on  forehead  ; below,  whitish  ; 
sides,  chestnut. 

North,  to  S.  E.  N.  Y.  ; nest,  in  hole  ; eggs,  6-8,  white,  spotted. 

250.  ENGLISH  SPARROW. 

Reddish-brown,  black-streaked Black,  ashy. 

6.  Forehead,  lores,  and  throat,  black;  crown  and  rump, 
ash,  former  bordered  by  chestnut ; spot  behind  ear  and  part 
of  neck,  chestnut,  bordered  on  neck  with  white  ; prominent 
wing-bars. 

Nest,  early  and  late,  simple  ; eggs,  4-5 ; an  imported  European 
nuisance. 


YELLOW  LIST. 

Showing  Yellow,  but  no  Black. 

251.  AMERICAN  GOLDFINCH. 

Winter  plumage  (Oct. -Apr.),  Flaxen-brown Lighter. 

4^.  Fore-part,  all  round,  often  distinctly  tinged  with  yel- 
low ; see  256. 


PERMANENT  GROUP BLACK  AND  YELLOW  LIST  93 


BLACK  AND  YELLOW  LIST. 

Nos.  252-257  : Showing  both  Black  and  Yellow. 

252.  GOLDEN-WINGED  WOODPECKER:  FLICKER. 

Olive-brown Cinnamon,  black,  whitish,  spotted. 

12 Above,  umber-brown,  black-barred  ; scarlet  cres- 
cent on  nape;  ruinp^  white;  tail,  blackish  above;  wings 
and  tail,  bright  yellow  beneath ; below,  black  maxillary 
spots  ; throat  and  upper  breast,  cinnamon,  with  black  cres- 
cent oxi  latter  ; other  under  parts,  white,  tinged  and  spotted. 

Less  abundant  in  winter,  particularly  north ; nest,  in  tree-hole ; 
eggs,  middle  of  May,  6-7,  pure  white. 

253.  BLACK-BACKED,  THREE-TOED  WOODPECKER. 

Black,  white White. 

8-9.  Crown-spot,  yellow;  sides  of  head,  black-and-white- 
striped  ; back,  black  ; wings  and  tail,  black  and  white ; 
below,  white  ; sides,  black-barred  ; ? , without  yellow  on 
crown. 

Breeds  north  of  Mass.,  common  in  Ad’r’ks ; in  winter  rarely  to 
Conn.,  not  in  Pa.  or  N.  J.  ; nest,  chiefly  in  evergreens;  eggs,  pure 
white. 

254.  WHITE-BACKED,  THREE-TOED  WOODPECKER. 

8-9.  Like  preceding,  but  with  white  line  down  the  back, 
interrupted  with  black. 

Breeds  on  northern  edge  ; more  northern  than  “ black-backed,  ” and 
rarer  ; nest  and  eggs,  as  in  “ black-backed.” 

255.  CEDAR-BIRD:  WAXWING. 

Creamy-brown. 

6-7.  Crested  ; forehead,  broad  eye-stripe,  and  chin, 
black  ; red  spots,  as  of  sealing-wax,  often  seen  on  wings, 


94 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


and  occa.  on  tail ; tail,  yellow-tipped  ; abdomen,  yellow  or 
yellowish  ; under  tail-coverts,  white. 

Breeds  throughout,  remains  in  winter  as  far  north  as  Mass.;  nest, 
of  grass,  bark,  roots,  etc.,  in  tree  or  bush,  near  ground;  eggs,  late 
June  or  early  July,  3-6,  pale  blue,  black-spotted;  no  song,  only  a 
“wheezy  whistle.” 

250.  AMERICAN  GOLDFINCH. 

Summer  plumage  (Apr.-Oct.),  Black,  yellow Yellow. 

Winter  plumage  (Oct. -Apr.),  Flaxen-brown Lighter. 

In  summer,  throughout,  bright  yellow  ; crown,  wings, 
and  tail,  black  ; wing-bars  and  tail-spots,  white.  In  winter, 
wings  and  tail,  blackish ; fore-part  of  body  often  with  yel- 
lowish suffusion. 

Common  throughout,  the  year  round  ; in  winter,  in  large  flocks ; 
nest,  artistic,  deeply  cupped,  6-30  ft.  from  ground;  eggs,  early  June, 
4-6,  bluish-white,  unmarked  ; wavy  flight  on  wing,  and  querulous  or 
sad  note  in  the  song. 

257.  EUROPEAN  GOLDFINCH. 

Black,  brown,  yellow Light  brown. 

4^.  Entire  front  face  and  chin,  scarlet ; crown,  black  ; 
side  of  face,  white,  bordered  behind  by  black  stripe  ; back, 
soft  brown  ; wings,  black,  with  large  yellow  area  ; tail, 
black,  white-spotted  ; below,  white,  irregularly  shaded  with 
soft  brown. 

Introduced,  local,  rare. 


BLUE  OR  RED  LIST. 

Showing  neither  Black  nor  Yellow. 

25§.  TUFTED  TITMOUSE. 

Dark  ashy Whitish,  chestnut. 

6-6%.  Crested  ; chestnut  sides  ; see  249o 


PERMANENT  GROUP — GAME  BIRDS 


95 


GAME  BIRDS. 

Nos.  259-263. 

259.  RUFFED  GROUSE:  PARTRIDGE. 
Reddish-brown,  spotted Tawny,  brown-barred. 

1 8.  Erectile  crown-feathers,  black-marked  ; prominent 
dark  ruff-feathers  on  each  side  of  neck ; tail,  large  and 
rounded,  gray,  with  broad  black  band  near  tip,  and  else- 
where finely  vermiculated  with  black. 

Throughout ; nest,  on  ground  in  swampy  woods  ; eggs,  late  in  May, 
8-15,  buff,  plain  or  spotted ; remarkable  for  “ drumming.” 


260.  PINNATED  GROUSE:  PRAIRIE  HEN. 

Barred  with  black,  white,  and  tawny. 

16-18.  Crested;  a tuft  of  long  feathers  on  each  side  of 
neck,  which  can  be  spread  into  the  form  of  a little  wing, 
below  which  the  bare  skin  is  sometimes  greatly  inflated ; 
tail,  very  short ; legs,  feathered. 

Very  rare  in  Eastern  States,  but  said  to  be  still  found  in  Martha’s 
Vineyard,  Long  Island,  and  locally  in  N.  Y.,  N.  J.,  and  Pa.  ; nest, 
on  ground ; eggs,  pale  greenish-gray,  speckled  or  unmarked. 


261.  CANADA  GROUSE:  SPRUCE  PARTRIDGE. 

Black,  gray-waved Black,  white-barred,  and  spotted. 

16.  Narrow  stripe  over  eye,  yellow  or  red  ; broad,  rounded 
tail,  black,  with  broad  tip  of  orange-brown  ; legs,  feathered 
to  toes;  ? , with  much  variegation  of  white,  brown,  and 
tawny ; tail,  obscurely  orange-tipped. 

Only  on  northern  edge  ; locally  common  in  Ad’r’ks  ; nest,  on  ground, 
in  damp  places  ; eggs,  late  in  May,  12  or  more,  variegated. 


96 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


262.  “BOB-WHITE:”  VIRGINIA  PARTRIDGE;  QUAIL 

Variegation  of  brown,  tawny,  gray,  etc. Brownish  and 

tawny,  black-waved. 

9.  Crown-feathers,  somewhat  erectile  ; forehead,  super- 
ciliary line,  and  throat,  white,  and  all  black-bordered  ; ? 
has  tints  duller,  and  throat  buff. 

Throughout  northward  to  Mass.  ; nest,  on  ground ; eggs,  late  in 
May,  quite  numerous,  white;  identified  by  notes  resembling  “bob- 
white.”  Found  in  open  fields. 

263.  BLACK  DUCK:  DUSKY  DUCK-  (WATER-FOWL). 

Blackish,  feathers  edged  with  rusty-brown. 

24.  Bill,  greenish-yellow ; violet  patch  on  wing,  black- 
bordered  ; legs,  red. 

Breeds  throughout,  but  rarely  in  Pa.,  where  it  is  chiefly  migrant, 
and  locally  in  N.  J.,  where  it  is  common  in  winter  on  coast  and  large 
rivers ; frequents  ponds ; nest,  on  ground,  occa.  in  tree-hole ; 
eggs,  May  and  June,  6-10,  creamy  or  pale  buff ; one  of  the  largest 
fresh-water  ducks,  and  fine  eating. 


The  Following  Summer  and  Migrant  Birds  are 
Permanent  in  Pa.  or  N.  J. 

173.  Yellow-bellied  Woodpecker  ; ; Pa.,  rare. 

15.  Great  Carolina  Wren  ; 5 J^-6  ; Pa.  and  N.  J. 

108.  Bluebird;  6j^-7  ; Pa.  and  N.  J. 

56.  Mourning  Dove;  12  ; Pa.  and  N.  J.,  locally. 

58.  Cardinal  Grosbeak  ; ; S.  Pa.  and  N.  J. 

87.  Meadow  Lark  ; loj^  ; Pa.  and  N.  J. 

57.  Robin  ; 9-10;  N.  J.  ; not  uncommon  in  Pa. 


SPECIAL  BIRDS  OF  N.  Y.,  PA.,  AND  N.  J. 


97 


Birds  Found  Only  in  N.  Y.,  Pa.,  or  N.  J. 

Nos.  264-274. 

264.  WHITE-RUMPED  SHRIKE 

Leaden-gray White. 

Stripe  across  forehead,  continuous  with  broad  bar 
on  side  of  face,  black  ; shoulders  and  upper  tail-coverts, 
whitish ; wings  and  tail,  black,  white-marked ; below,  sides 
shaded  with  gray,  but  no  vermicular  marking. 

Only  in  Ad’r’ks,  where  it  is  not  uncommon  ; habits,  same  as  of 
other  shrikes  ; permanent. 

265.  WILLOW  PTARIVIIGAN. 

(Summer)  Chestnut,  variegated. 

(Winter)  White,  black White. 

15.  Summer,  fore-parts,  chestnut,  barred  above  and  on 
sides  with  blackish,  tawny,  and  white;  most  of  wings,  and 
below  (except  breast  and  sides),  white  ; legs,  feathered  to 
claws ; in  winter,  white  throughout ; tail,  black,  white- 
tipped  ; middle  pair  of  tail-feathers,  white. 

Only  in  Ad’r’ks,  and  rare  ; permanent. 

266.  WESTERN  SHORE  LARK. 

7.  Coloration  much  as  in  shore  lark  (201),  but  very 
pale  ; black  markings  restricted. 

A western  species,  breeding  locally  in  W.  Pa.,  and,  it  is  said,  in 

N.  Y. 

267.  EVENING  GROSBEAK. 

Yellowish,  black,  white. 

Forehead,  superciliary  line,  shoulders  and  rump, 
yellow;  crown,  tail,  and  upper  tail-coverts,  black;  body, 
olivaceous  - yellow,  becoming  bright  yellow  posteriorly  ; 
wings,  black  and  white,  their  under-side  black  and  yellow ; 
5 , brownish-ash,  paler  below,  irreg.  mixed  with  yellow. 

A western  species,  since  1890  locally  permanent  in  Pa.,  N.  Y,,  and 
N.  J. 


98 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


268.  WILD  TURKEY. 

Iridescent  copper-bronze. 

36-48.  Bare  skin  of  head  and  neck,  blue  ; excrescences, 
purplish-red;  upper  tail-coverts,  chestnut;  tail,  brown, 
black-barred ; long  tuft  of  blackish  bristles  hanging  from 
middle  of  breast ; legs,  red  ; - general  plumage,  copper- 
bronze,  each  feather  black-tipped  ; $ , smaller  and  duller. 

Pet.iianent,  but  rare,  “ in  many  wooded  and  thinly  populated  dis- 
tricts ’’  of  Pa.,  possibly  in  N.  Y.  (?)  ; extirpated  in  N.  E.  and  N.  J.  ; 
nest,  on  ground ; eggs,  much  like  those  of  domestic  turkey,  but  a lit- 
tle smaller. 


269.  BEWICK’S  WREN. 

Dark  rufous-brown Ashy-white. 

Rump,  grayish  ; flanks,  brown. 

Only  in  Pa.  and  very  rarely  in  N.  J. ; a summer  bird  ; nest,  in  hole 
of  tree,  etc.  ; eggs,  7-9,  white,  sparsely  speckled  ; fine  singer. 


270.  YELLOW-THROATED  WARBLER. 

Ashy-gray Yellow,  white. 

5.  Whole  top  of  head,  and  patches  on  side  of  head  and 
neck,  black;  long  superciliary  line,  from  bill  to  eye,  yellow, 
from  eye  to  nape,  white  ; throat,  rich  yellow,  black-bor- 
dered ; other  under-parts,  white  ; sides,  strongly  black- 
streaked. 

Only  in  Pa.  and  S.  N.  J. ; a summer  bird  ; rare ; nesting,  unknown. 


271.  CAROLINA  CHICKADEE. 

Coloring  of  common  chickadee  (238),  but  much 
smaller. 

Only  in  S,  Pa.  (summer)  and  N.  J.  (permanent). 


SPECIAL  BIRDS  OF  N.  Y.,  PA.,  AND  N.  J. 


99 


272.  BROWN-HEADED  NUTHATCH. 

Ashy-blue Whitish. 

4.  Top  of  head,  down  to  eyes,  brown,  dark-bordered  ; 
white  spot  on  nape. 

Rarely  breeding  only  in  S.  N.  J.  and  rare  straggler  to  S.  Pa. ; hab- 
its of  other  nuthatches. 

273.  NELSON’S  SHARP-TAILED  FINCH. 

Smaller  than  sharp-tailed  finch  (7),  but  with  same 
coloring,  except  colors  are  brighter,  and  markings  more 
sharply  defined.” 

A western  species,  but  a rare  migrant  on  N.  J.  coast. 

274.  ACADIAN  SHARP-TAILED  FINCH. 

Size  and  coloring  of  sharp-tailed  finch  (7),  ‘‘  but  paler 
and  less  conspicuously  streaked  beneath  with  pale  green- 
ish-gray.” 

A new  subspecies,  ranging  along  the  coast ; within  territory  only 
on  N.  J.  coast,  where  it  is  a regular  migrant. 


RED  LIST  OF  LAND  AND  WATER  BIRDS. 

Including  every  shade  frorn  dark  chestnut  to  scarlet.  The 
birds  proper  number  precedes ^ its  length  follows^  its  name, 

* Red  the  prevailing  tint^  even  when  not  throughout^  or 
with  wings  and  tail  black, 

301.  Screech  Owl;  8-10;  in  the  “red  phase.” 

195.  Pine  Grosbeak;  8-9;  carmine;  wings  and  tail,  black- 
ish. 

58.  Cardinal  Grosbeak  ; 8^  ; cardinal-red. 

61.  Scarlet  Tanager  ; 7 ; scarlet,  except  jet-black  wings 

and  tail. 


lOO 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


114.  Summer  Tanager  ; 7}^-8  ; vermilion. 

152.  Fox  Sparrow;  7;  reddish-tawny,  or  “rusty;”  breast, 
white,  spotted. 

115.  Purple  Finch  ; 6;  crimson,  more  anteriorly. 

196.  Common  Crossbill;  6;  brick-red;  wings  and  tail, 
blackish. 

197.  White-winged  Crossbill;  6;  brick-red;  wings  and 
tail,  blackish. 

* * Red  only  on  crown* 

41.  King-bird  ; 8 ; flame-colored  spot,  obscure. 

198.  Tree  Sparrow;  6;  bright  chestnut. 

250.  English  Sparrow  ; 6 ; bright  chestnut. 

68,  Swamp  Sparrow  ; 5^-6  ; bright  chestnut. 

69.  Chipping  Sparrow;  5^  ; bright  chestnut. 

41.  Oven-bird  ; 6 ; buff-orange  stripe. 

165.  Yellow  Red-poll  Warbler  ; 5 ; bright  chestnut. 

76.  Nashville  Warbler  ; 4^-5  ; chestnut,  obscure. 

202.  Golden-crowned  Kinglet  ; 4-4 ; scarlet  centre  of 
yellow  spot. 

177.  Ruby-crowned  Kinglet;  4-4^  ; entire  spot  scarlet. 

* * * Red  only  on  nape. 

252.  Flicker;  12^;  scarlet  band. 

247.  Hairy  Woodpecker  ; 9-9 ^ ; scarlet  band. 

248.  Downy  Woodpecker  ; 6-7;  scarlet  band. 

* * * * lelow^  wholly  or  chiefly. 

215.  Merganser;  24;  pinkish-red. 

216.  Red-breasted  Merganser  ; 24 ; deep  reddish-brown. 
137.  Summer  Duck;  19;  chestnut. 

121.  King  Rail;  17-19;  cinnamon-red. 


RED  LIST  OF  LAND  AND  WATER  BIRDS 


lOI 


162.  Wild  Pigeon;  i6;  purplish-red. 

146.  Roseate  Tern  ; 12-16;  rosy-tinted. 

56.  Mourning  Dove  ; 12;  purplish-red. 

57.  Robin;  9-10;  bright  chestnut. 

123.  Virginia  Rail  ; 8-10;  cinnamon-red. 

108.  Bluebird;  6^-7;  chestnut. 

199.  Red-breasted  Nuthatch  ; 4^-5;  reddish-brown. 

*****  Miscellaneous  ; arranged  approximately  accord- 
ing to  order  of  descriptive  details. 

246.  Red-headed  Woodpecker  ; 9^  ; head  and  neck,  scar- 
let. 

283.  Turkey  Buzzard  ; 24 ; red  head. 

144.  Arctic  Tern;  14-17;  long  bill,  red. 

145.  Common  Tern  ; 13-16  ;•  long  bill  and  feet,  red. 

126.  Florida  Gallinule  ; 12-14;  bill  and  plate,  red. 

268.  Wild  Turkey  , 36-48  ; excrescences,  purplish-red. 

257.  European  Goldfinch  ; 4^  ; front  face,  red. 

261.  Canada  Grouse;  16  ; superciliary  line,  red  or  yellow. 

243.  PiLEATED  Woodpecker  ; 15-19;  crest  and  cheek,  scar- 
let. 

245.  Red-bellied  Woodpecker;  9^^  ; crown  and  nape, 
scarlet. 

173.  Yellow-bellied  Woodpecker  ; 8j^  ; crown  and  throat, 
scarlet. 

170.  Cape  May  Warbler;  5-5 ; side  of  head,  reddish  or 
orange -brown. 

204.  Red-poll  Linnet;  5^;  crown,  carmine ; rump  and 
breast,  rosy. 

205.  American  Mealy  Red-poll;  5^;  crown,  carmine; 
breast,  rosy. 

109.  Barn  Swallow;  6-7;  forehead  and  breast,  chestnut. 

112.  Cliff  Swallow;  5-5  ; side  of  head,  rump,  and  throat, 

chestnut. 

164.  Bay-breasted  Warbler;  5^;  crown,  throat,  and 
breast,  chestnut. 


102 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


130.  Least  Bittern  ; 11-14;  hind-neck,  chestnut. 

136.  Green  Heron;  16-18;  neck  and  below,  dark  reddish. 
92.  Prairie  Warbler  ; 4^  ; middle  of  back,  brick-red. 

88.  Baltimore  Oriole  ; 7^-8  ; rump  and  breast,  orange. 

62.  Orchard  Oriole  ; 7 ; rump  and  lower  breast,  chestnut. 

65.  Red-winged  Blackbird  ; 9 ; shoulder,  scarlet. 

285.  Red-shouldered  Hawk  ; 20 ; shoulder,  reddish. 

255.  Cedar-bird  ; 6-7;  red  spots  on  wings. 

279.  Red-tailed  Buzzard  ; 22  ; tail,  bright  chestnut. 

291.  Sparrow  Hawk;  io-ii  ; tail,  bright  chestnut. 

78.  Great  Crested  Flycatcher;  S)4  ; tail,  chestnut. 

63.  Redstart  ; 5^  J tail,  wing-patch,  and  sides  of  breast,  or- 
ange. 

66.  Cat-bird;  8^-9;  under  tail-coverts,  chestnut-red. 

200.  Bohemian  Waxwing  ; 7-8 ; under  tail-coverts,  chestnut- 
red. 

118.  Ruby-throated  Humming-bird;  3^;  throat,  ruby. 
214.  Red-throated  Diver  ; 29  ; throat,  chestnut. 

59.  Rose-breasted  Grosbeak;  8-8)4  > upper  breast,  car- 
mine. 

97.  Blackburnian  Warbler  ; 4j^  ; breast,  orange. 

101.  Chestnut-sided  Warbler  ; 5 ; chestnut  stripe  on  side 

of  breast. 

67.  Chewink;  8-8)4  ; sides,  chestnut. 

249.  Tufted  Titmouse  ; 6-6^  ; sides,  chestnut. 

263.  Black  Duck;  24;  legs,  red. 


BIRDS  OF  PREY — EAGLES 


103 


BIRDS  OF  PREY. 

These  comprise  eagles,  hawks  (and  allies),  and  owls  ; 
the  two  former  diurnal,  the  last  nocturnal,  in  habits. 
Eagles  and  hawks  are  at  once  recognized  by  their  great 
size,  generally  neutral  coloring,  frequent  alternation  of 
flapping  and  sailing  in  flight,  and  erect  attitude  in  perching. 
They  are  generally  silent,  their  occasional  screams  much 
resembling  that  of  the  blue  jay.  The  peculiar  physiogno- 
my of  owls  instantly  identifies  the  class.  Birds  of  prey  are 
ranked  as  non-migratory,  though  in  several  species  this  is 
not  strictly  true,  their  movements  northward  and  southward 
being  probably  induced  by  the  varying  conditions  of  food- 
supply.  As  a rule  they  are  not  gregarious.  It  has  recently 
been  proved  that  this  despised  group  of  birds  are,  almost 
without  exception,  far  more  beneficial  than  hurtful  in  nat- 
ure’s economy,  their  food  being  largely  such  animals  as  are 
noxious  to  the  farmer. 


EAGLES. 

275.  BALD  EAGLE. 

Dark  brown. 

36.  Head^  neck,  and  tail,  white  after  3d  year,  until  then 
uniformly  colored;  ist  year,  very  dark,  somewhat  white- 
spotted  ; 2d  year,  gray,  and  larger  than  ever  after ! 

Throughout,  permanent,  on  coast  and  along  large  inland  waters ; 
nest,  on  tree  or  crag;  eggs,  2,  whitish,  unspotted;  feeds  chiefly  on 
fish. 


104 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


276.  GOLDEN  EAGLE. 

Dark  brown. 

36.  Part  of  head,  and  neck,  golden-brown ; legs,  feathered 
to  toes ; in  young  birds,  tail  white,  with  broad  black  tip. 
Irregularly  throughout,  but  nesting  rather  northerly,  and  in  moun 


. ^ _ — Lilciiy,  ana  in  moun- 

tamous  regions  ; occasionally,  in  winter  only,  in  Pa  and  N 1 • neci 
huge,  on  crag,  rarely  in  tree  ; eggs,  2-4,  white,  spotted.  ‘ ’ 


HAWKS  (and  ALLIES). 

(Nos.  277-281  s/^c?ze/  conspicuous  white,) 


277.  OSPREY:  FISH  HAWK. 

Dark  brown White. 

24.  Head  and  neck,  white,  with  broad  black  stripe  from 
eye  to  neck  ; crown,  black-streaked  ; below,  white,  slightly 
brown-tinged,  and  breast  somewhat  dark-spotted ; tail 
barred.  ^ 


Breeds  throughout;  found  on  coast,  and  at  large  inland  waters; 
nest,  bulky,  in  tree,  on  rock  or  ground  ; eggs,  May,  2-3,  color  varia- 
ble ; sometimes  gregarious ; fish  diet. 


278,  ROUGH-LEGGED  HAWK:  BLACK  HAWK. 

Variegation  of  brown  and  white White,  brown-marked. 

24,  Tail,  black-barred,  h\it  basal  half  pure  white;  be- 
low, white,  variously  dark-marked,  often  with  wide  brown 
band  across  abdomen  ; legs,  feathered  to  toes. 

Throughout  in  winter;  frequents  marshy  places  ; nest,  on  tree  or 
cliff ; eggs,  3-4.  varied  coloring.  , i cc  vi 


BIRDS  OF  PREY HAWKS  (AND  ALLIES) 


105 


279.  HEN  HAWK:  RED-TAILED  BUZZARD. 

Dark  brown Buffy-white,  partly  streaked. 

22.  Above,  slightly  marked  with  tawny  and  white  ; tail, 
above,  bright  chestnut^  below,  silvery  white^  with  white  tip 
subtipped  with  black  ; sides  and  abdomen,  dark-streaked  ; 
plumage  variable,  but  chestnut-red  tail  characteristic. 

Permanent  throughout ; nest,  bulky,  high  in  tree  ; eggs,  3,  whitish, 
marked. 

280.  IVIARSH  HAWK. 

Bluish-gray — -Whitish . 

16-18.  Wings,  blackish-tipped;  upper  taiUcoverts^ 
white  ; tail,  brown-barred. 

Breeds  throughout ; more  or  less  permanent,  especially  in  S.  Pa. ; 
nest,  on  ground  ; eggs.  May,  4-5,  with  dull  tints,  obscurely  marked; 
in  marshy  places  ; feeds  on  mice,  toads,  insects,  etc. 

281.  GYRFALCON. 

24.  White,  heavily  marked  with  brown. 

An  Arctic  species,  occa.  seen  in  N.  E.  in  winter ; nest,  on  cliff. 

282.  GOSHAWK:  PARTRIDGE  HAWK. 

Slate White,  dark-barred. 

24.  Blackish  on  head ; white  superciliary  line  ; tail,  with 
4 wide  dark  bands. 

Throughout,  permanent,  somewhat  rare. 

283.  TURKEY  BUZZARD. 

Blackish. 

24.  Bill,  white  ; head,  red ; skin  of  head  with  a few 
bristly  feathers  ; wings,  gray  on  under  side  ; tail,  rounded. 

Permanent  in  S.  N.  J.  ; breeds  in  Pa.,  where  it  is  permanent  in 
some  sections;  roams  northward  rarely  to  Me.;  nest,  on  ground; 
eggs,  1-2,  whitish,  variously  spotted;  gregarious,  sails  an  immense 
distance — one  or  two  miles — without  wing-beat. 


io6 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


284.  CARRION  CROW:  BLACK  VULTURE. 

Blackish. 

24.  Bill,  yellowish  ; head,  dark,  with  a few  bristly  feath- 
ers ; tail,  square. 

A southern  species,  regularly  north  only  to  N.  C.,  but  straggling 
even  to  Me.  ; no  records  in  N.  J.  ; chiefly  a coast-bird. 


285.  HEN  HAWK:  RED-SHOULDERED  BUZZARD. 

Reddish-brown Lighter,  dark-streaked  and  white-barred. 

20.  Shoulders,  orange-hrown  ; wings  and  tail,  blackish, 
narrowly  white-barred  and  white-tipped. 

Permanent  throughout;  nest,  high  in  tree;  eggs,  Apr.,  2-4,  color 
variable ; quite  abundant. 


286.  COOPER’S  HAWK:  CHICKEN  HAWK. 

Dark  brown White,  brownish-barred. 

18.  Throat,  almost  pure  white  ; wings,  dark-barred  ; tail, 
lighter,  dark-barred  and  white-tipped. 

Permanent  throughout,  but  rarer  in  winter ; nest,  in  high  tree ; 
eggs,  Apr.  or  May,  3-5,  white  or  tinted,  obscurely  marked. 


28T.  DUCK  HAWK:  PEREGRINE  FALCON. 

Dark  ash Buff-white,  spotted. 

18.  Forehead,  whitish;  throat,  pure  white;  tail,  finely 
barred  with  dark  and  light ; large  black  patch  on  cheek ; 
breast  spotted,  sides  barred,  with  black. 

Breeds  throughout ; a mountainous  species  ; winters  irreg.  in 
Pa.;  rare;  nest,  on  tree  or  ground;  eggs,  3-4,  whitish,  variously 
spotted ; attacks  large  game,  such  as  ducks,  hares,  etc. 


BIRDS  OF  PREY — HAWKS  (aND  ALLIES)  10  7 


2§8.  BROAD-WINGED  HAWK:  BUZZARD. 

Dark  brown White,  barred  and  streaked. 

18.  Tail,  barred,  and  tipped  with  white  ; dark  patch  on 
each  side  of  throat. 

Permanent  throughout,  but  rarer  northerly  in  winter  ; nest,  in  tree  ; 
eggs,  3-5,  yellowish-white,  dark-spotted. 

289,  PIGEON  HAWK. 

Dark  ashy-blue Fulvous,  dark-spotted. 

13.  Wings,  white-spotted  ; tail,  banded  with  black  and 
whitish,  and  white-tipped  ; throat,  whitish  ; breast,  buffy, 
and  brown-spotted  ; ? , above,  ashy-brown  ; tail,  banded 
obscurely  with  whitish. 

Breeds  from  northern  edge  down  to  Mass. , and  in  winter  through- 
out ; nest,  in  tree-hole  or  on  branch  ; eggs,  4-5,  variously  colored. 

290.  SHARP-SHINNED  HAWK. 

Dark  brown White,  brownish-barred. 

12.  Throat,  almost  pure  white  ; wings,  dark-barred  ; tail, 
lighter,  dark-banded  and  white-tipped. 

Permanent  throughout,  but  rare  in  N.  E.  in  winter,  and  in  Pa.  in 
summer;  nest,  in  tree  or  on  rock;  eggs.  May  or  June,  4-5,  variable 
in  color  ; especially  valiant  and  impetuous. 

291.  SPARROW  HAWK. 

Cinnamon-brown Buff,  slightly  spotted. 

lo-ii.  Crown,  ashy-blue,  with  chestnut  spot  varying  in 
size  ; tail^  bright  chestmit^  black-barred  and  white-tipped ; 
outer  feathers,  mostly  white,  and  black-barred  ; throat  and 
rear,  white  ; breast,  buffy,  sparsely  or  not  at  all  spotted  ; ? 
has  breast  thickly  dark-streaked. 

Abundant  throughout ; nest,  in  tree-hole,  etc.  ; eggs,  May,  5-7, 
much  varied  in  color  ; the  smallest  hawk,  and  handsome. 


io8 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


OWLS. 

292.  GREAT  GRAY  OWL. 

Ashy-brown,  waved  **  and  streaked. 

24-30.  Plumage,  ‘‘waved”  above,  streaked  below  ; con- 
centric light  and  dark  rings  on  face. 

An  Arctic  species,  permanent,  at  least  in  Ad’r’ks,  though  rare,  and, 
in  winter,  rarely  southward  to  Pa.  and  N.  J.  ; nest,  in  tree  ; eggs,  3- 
4,  white. 


292.  SNOWY  OWL. 

White,  somewhat  dark-spotted. 

24.  Face,  throat,  and  feet,  whitest. 

An  Arctic  species,  but  frequent  throughout  in  winter  ; nest,  usually 
on  ground  ; eggs,  5-10,  laid  at  irregular  intervals,  as  in  other  owls,  so 
that  nest  may  contain  fresh  eggs  and  young  birds. 


294.  GREAT  HORNED  OWL. 

Finely  mottled  with  several  quiet  colors. 

24.  Prominent  dark  ear-tufts  ; below,  rather  lighter  ; 
general  plumage  rather  variable. 

Throughout ; no  nest ; eggs,  3-6,  whitish,  laid  in  tree-hole,  etc.,  in 
Feb.  or  Mar.  ; said  to  be  laid  sometimes  in  Jan.  in  Pa. 


295.  BARRED  OWL;  HOOT  OWL. 

Ashy-brown,  barred  with  whitish. 

18-20.  Dark  and  light  concentric  rings  around  eye  ; be- 
low as  above,  but  lighter. 

Throughout;  nest,  coarse,  in  tree-hole;  eggs,  Apr.,  3-4,  white. 


BIRDS  OF  PREY — OWLS 


109 


296.  BARN  OWL. 

Whitish-tawny,  black-speckled. 

16-17.  Face,  lighter  (dark  around  eye),  bordered  with 
dark ; wings  and  tail,  brown-barred  ; below,  lighter, 
sparsely  dark-spotted. 

Southerly  ; north  to  Mass.  ; nest,  in  barn,  tower,  tree,  etc. ; eggs, 
3-6,  yellowish- white  ; in  Pa.  nest  sometimes  found  latter  part  of  Feb. 

297.  HAWK  OWL:  DAY  OWL. 

Dark  brown,  white-speckled — -Brown  and  white,  barred. 

16.  Face,  whitish,  bordered  with  blackish  ; tail,  nar- 
rowly whitish-barred ; below  (except  throat,  which  is 
streaked),  closely  barred  with  brownish  and  white. 

An  Arctic  species,  possibly  breeding  in  Me  ; in  winter,  throughout 
N.  E. , very  rare  in  Pa.  and  N.  J. ; nest,  in  tree ; eggs,  4-6,  whitish  ; 
most  diurnal  of  owls. 

298.  LONG-EARED  OWL. 

Variegation  of  fulvous  and  dark  brown. 

14-16.  Prominent  ear-tufts  ; face,  tawny,  dark-bordered. 

Throughout,  common,  gregarious  ; nest,  in  tree-hole,  on  ground, 
or  in  deserted  nest ; eggs,  middle  of  Apr.,  3-6,  white. 

299.  SHORT-EARED  OWL:  MARSH  OWL 
Variegation  of  fulvous  and  dark  brown. 

14.^2  • Face,  whitish  ; d/ack  around  eye. 

Throughout,  often  in  marshes  ; nest,  on  ground ; eggs,  middle  of 
Apr.,  4-7,  white  ; occa.  flying  by  day. 

300.  RICHARDSON’S  OWL. 

Chocolate-brown,  white-spotted White,  dark-spotted. 

10-12.  Face,  white,  dark-bordered. 

An  Arctic  species,  rarely  in  N.  E.  in  winter  ; nest,  in  tree ; eggs, 
2-6,  white. 


1 10 


HOW  TO  NAME  THE  BIRDS 


301.  SCREECH  OWL:  MOTTLED  OR  RED  OWL. 

Brownish-gray,  dappled  with  various  tints. 

8-10.  Promineat  ear-tufts,  plumage  variable  ; a small- 
sized great  horned  ; ’’  another  plumage  has  a very  red- 
dish cast. 

Throughout,  rather  abundant ; nest,  coarse,  in  tree  ; eggs,  Apr., 
4-6,  white. 

302.  SAW-WHET  OWL:  ACADIAN  OWL. 

Chocolate-brown,  white-spotted White,  dark-spotted. 

7-8.  Face,  whitish,  dark-bordered. 

Throughout,  quite  rare  in  Pa.  and  N.  J.  ; nest,  in  tree-hole  ; eggs, 
Apr.,  4-6,  white  ; the  smallest  of  the  owls  ; name,  from  its  peculiar 
scream. 


INDEX 

{Figures  refer  to  the  birF s proper  number.) 

LAND  BIRDS 


Bee-martin,  47 
Blackbird,  Bronzed  Crow,  156 
Cow,  32 
Crow,  31 
Red-winged,  65 
Bluebird,  108 
Bob-White,  262 
Bobolink,  49 

Bunting,  Black-throated,  99 
Snow,  190 
Towhee,  67 
Butcher-bird,  187 
Buzzard,  288 

Red-shouldered,  285 
Red-tailed,  279 
Turkey,  283 

Cardinal-bird,  58 
Cat-bird,  66 
Cedar-bird,  255 
Chat,  Yellow-breasted,  93 
Chewink,  67 
Chickadee,  238 
Carolina,  271 
Hudsonian,  193 
Chipper,  Arctic,  198 
Cow-bird,  32 


Creeper,  Black-and-white,  43 
Brown,  184 

Crossbill,  Common,  196 
White-winged,  197 

Crow,  Carrion,  284 
Common,  232 
Fish,  30 

Cuckoo,  Black-billed,  45 
Yellow-billed,  98 

Dove,  Mourning,  56 

Eagle,  Bald,  275 
Golden,  276 

Falcon,  Peregrine,  287 

Finch,  Acadian  Sharp-tailed,  274 
Grass,  6 

Nelson’s  Sharp-tailed,  273 
Pine,  185 
Purple,  1 15 
Sea-side,  79 

Flicker,  252 

Flycatcher,  Acadian,  24 
Great  Crested,  78 
Least,  26 


III 


I I 2 


INDEX 


Flycatcher,  Olive-sided,  21 
Traill’s,  25 
Yellow-bellied,  80 

Gnat-catcher,  Blue-gray,  44 
Goldfinch,  American,  242,  256 
European,  257 
Goshawk,  282 
Grackle,  Bronzed,  156 
Purple,  31 
Rusty,  157 
Grosbeak,  Blue,  38 
Cardinal,  58 
Evening,  267 
Pine,  195 
Rose-breasted,  59 
Grouse,  Canada,  261 
Pinnated,  260 
Ruffed,  259 
Gyrfalcon,  281 

Hair-bird,  69 
Hawk,  Broad-winged,  288 
Chicken  (Cooper’s),  286 
Duck,  287 
Fish,  277 
Hen,  279,  285 
Marsh,  280 
Partridge,  282 
Pigeon,  289 
Red-shouldered,  285 
Red-tailed,  279 
Rough-legged  (Black),  278 
Sharp-shinned,  290 
Sparrow,  291 
Hen,  Prairie,  260 

Humming  bird.  Ruby  throated, 

ii8 


Indigo-bird,  39 

Jay,  Blue,  239 
Canada,  227 

King-bird,  47 
Kingfisher,  Belted,  107 
Kinglet,  Golden-crowned,  202 
Ruby-crowned,  177 

Lark,  Brown,  182 
Meadow,  87 
Shore  (Horned),  201 
Western  Shore,  266 
Linnet,  Pine,  185 
Rtd-poll,  204 
Longspur,  Lapland,  192 

Martin,  Purple,  33 
Maryland  Yellow-throat,  96 
Mocking-bird,  36 

Night  Hawk,  13 
Nuthatch,  Brown-headed,  272 
Canada  (Red  breasted),  199 
White-breasted,  237 

Oriole,  Baltimore,  88 
Orchard,  62 
Osprey,  277 
Oven-bird,  41 
Owl,  Barn,  296 
Barred,  295 
Great  Gray,  292 
Great  Horned,  294 
Hawk  (Day),  297 
Hoot,  295 
Long-eared,  298 
Marsh,  299 
Richardson’s,  300 


INDEX 


II3 


Owl,  Saw-whet  (Acadian),  302 
Screech  (Red),  301 
Short-eared,  299 
Snowy,  293 

Partridge,  259 
Spruce,  261 
Virginia,  ‘262 
Peabody-bird,  174 
Pewee,  51 
Phoebe,  22 

Pigeon,  Wild  (Passenger),  162 
Pipit,  182 

Ptarmigan,  Willow,  265 
Quail,  262 

Raven,  American,  231 
Red-bird,  Summer,  114 
Red-poll,  American  Mealy,  205 
Common,  204 
Redstart,  63 
Rice-bird,  49 
Robin,  57 

Shrike,  Loggerhead,  37 
Great  Northern,  187 
White-rumped,  264 
Snow-bird,  191 
Sparrow,  Chipping,  69 
English,  250 
Field,  70 
Fox,  152 
Henslow’s,  105 
Ipswich,  183 
Lincoln’s,  8 
Savanna,  81 
Sharp-tailed,  7 
Song,  241 
Swamp,  68 
Tree,  198 


Sparrow,  Vesper,  6 

White-crowned.  158 
White-throated,  174 
Yellow-winged,  106 
Starling,  European,  235 
Summer  Yellow-bird,  75 
Swallow,  Bank,  19 
Barn,  109 
Chimney,  34 
Cliff  (Eave),  112 
Rough-winged,  20 
White-breasted,  48 
Swift,  Chimney,  34 

Tanager,  Scarlet,  61 
Summer,  114 
Titlark  (Wagtail),  182 
Titmouse,  Black-capped,  238 
Tufted,  249 
Thrasher,  i 
Thrush,  Brown,  i 

Golden-crowned,  41 
Gray-cheeked  (Arctic),  149 
Hermit,  151 
Louisiana  Water,  4 
Olive-backed,  150 
Song,  2 
Water,  5 
Wilson’s,  3 
Wood,  2 

Turkey,  Wild,  268 
Veery,  3 

Vireo,  Philadelphia,  29 
Red-eyed,  40 

Solitary  (Blue-headed),  27 
Warbling,  28 
White-eyed,  83 
Yellow-throated,  72 
Vulture,  Black,  284 


INDEX 


114- 

WAGTAIL,  182 

Warbler,  Bay-breasted,  164 
Black  and  Yellow,  171 
Black-capped  Flycatching, 
172 

Black-poll,  160 
Black-throated  Blue,  161 
Black-throated  Green,  102 
Blackburnian,  97 
Blue  Golden-winged,  104 
blue  Yellow-backed,  77 
Blue- winged  Yellow,  95 
Canadian  Flycatching,  89 
Cape  May,  170 
Chestnut-sided,  loi 
Coerulean,  55 
Connecticut,  168 
Hooded,  90 
Kentucky,  94 
Magnolia,  171 

Maryland  Yellow-throated,  96 

Mourning,  169 

Myrtle,  175 

Nashville,  76 

Orange-crowned,  153 

Palm,  165 

Parula,  77 

Pine,  73 

Prairie,  92 


Bittern,  American,  129 
Least,  130 

Coot,  American,  127 

Diver,  Red-throated,  214 
Dovekie,  226 


Warbler,  Prothonotary,  74 
Summer  Yellow,  75 
Tennessee,  154 
White-throated,  103 
Worm-eating,  42 
Yellow  Red-poll,  165 
Yellow-rumped,  175 
Yellow-throated,  270 
Water  Wagtail,  5 
Waxwing,  255 

Bohemian,  200 
Whippoorwill,  12 
Woodpecker,  Black  - backed, 
Three-toed,  253 
Downy,  248 
Golden-winged,  252 
Hairy,  247 
Pileated,  243 
Red-bellied,  245 
Red-headed,  246 
White  - backed.  Three  - toed , 

254 

Yellow-bellied,  173 
Wren,  Bewick’s,  269 
Great  Carolina,  15 
House,  18 

Long-billed  Marsh,  16 
Short-billed  Marsh,  17 
Winter,  186 

BIRDS 

Duck,  Black  (Dusky),  263 
Buffle-head,  209 
Greater  Scaup,  221 
Lesser  Scaup,  222 
Long-tailed,  223 
Summer,  137 
Surf,  220 


INDEX 


IIS 


Egret,  Great  White,  132 
Small  White,  133 

Gallinule,  Florida,  126 
Gannet,  Common.  210 
Goose,  Canada,  206 
Grebe,  Pied-billed,  138 
Guillemot,  Thick-billed,  224 
Gull,  Glaucous,  212 

Great  Black-backed,  211 
Herring,  208 
Kittivvake,  225 
Laughing,  143 
Ring-billed,  213 

Heron,  Great  Blue,  131 
Great  White,  132 
Green,  136 
Little  Blue,  134 
Night,  135 
Small  White,  133 

Kittivvake,  225 

Loon,  Common,  207 

Merganser,  215 
Hooded,  217 
Red-breasted,  216 


Petrel,  Stormy,  148 
Plover,  Kildeer,  141 
Piping,  140 
Semipalmated,  139 
Upland,  1 19 

Rail,  Carolina  (Common),  124 
Clapper,  122 
King,  121 
Virginia,  123 
Yellow,  125 

Sandpiper,  Solitary,  179 
Spotted,  142 
Scoter,  Black,  219 

White-winged,  218 
Sea  Dove,  226 
Sea  Swallow,  145 
Snipe,  American,  178 

Tattler,  Semipalmated,  128 
Tern,  Arctic,  144 
Common,  145 
Least,  147 
Roseate,  146 

Woodcock,  120 


